New York Senate considers iPod-banning bill

Law would ban people from talking on mobiles while crossing the street

8 February 2007 16:38 GMT / By Amber Maitland

In the UK, talking on a mobile phone while driving has long been banned, but it seems as though New York state government may take that law one step further.

One state senator, Carl Kruger, has introduced a bill to ban the use of certain distracting devices, like BlackBerrys and iPods, while crossing the street.

The death of three pedestrians since September in Brooklyn, part of his district, while using electronic devices prompted him to take such strong action.

A 21-year-old was killed when he stepped into traffic while listening to music, while a 23-year-old died under a vehicle while listening to his iPod.

"This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand", the senator told Reuters.

Using electronic devices while crossing a street will incur a $100 fine.

Enforcing the law, if enacted, would be a difficult if not impossible task; it's ok to listen to your iPod when you're walking on the sidewalk, but who's going to check if you've paused it to cross the street?

Full tags

Audio, MP3 players, BlackBerry, iPod, Mobile phones