Pol Wants To Ban Texting While Crossing New York City Streets

SUNSET PARK, NY — A local politican wants to make it illegal to cross streets around the city while texting.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, who represents Sunset Park and Red Hook, introduced a bill in the state Assembly last week that would ban pedestrians from using electronic devices while crossing intersections in an effort to drive down injuries.

"I see countless numbers of people texting while driving and texting while walking in the streets," Ortiz said in a statement. "This bill will help protect and save lives."

The bill would amend the state's law to ban the use of any portable electronic devices — including phones, laptops, pagers and electronic gaming devices — while walking across the street. The effort was first reported by the Brooklyn Reporter.

Ortiz cited a 2017 study by the National Safety Council which found that pedestrian deaths increased by 27 percent from 2007 to 2016 around the country, with 5,984 killed last year.

The study pointed towards an increase in texting while walking as a contributing factor for the increasing numbers, along with the legalization of marijuana in some states.

Honolulu and Montclair, Calif., previously banned using phones while crossing the street with people potentially paying a $100 fine if caught, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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