Honolulu Bans People From Texting While Crossing The Road

HONOLULU, HI — Texting while crossing the street may seem innocuous but the practice will soon get residents of Honolulu fined as the city just made it illegal to do so.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed the bill into law on July 27 after it passed the city council 7-2 earlier this month. The ordinance goes into effect ninety days after its approval.

The ordinance makes it illegal for pedestrians to cross a road or a highway while viewing a mobile electronic device though if a person was making a 911 call it is considered an affirmative defense should the person receive a citation.

First time violators could be fined anywhere between $15 and $35. A second time offense, within a year of the first offense, could net you a fine of up to $75. Anyone who commits a third offense within a year of the first offense could be fined as much as $99.

The bill is not limited to cellphones and also includes devices like digital cameras, laptops or video games.

The ban will take effect in late October.

Reuters notes that more than 11,000 injuries have resulted from phone-related distracted while walkingbetween 2000 and 2011, according to a 2015 University of Maryland study.

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