A state senator from Brooklyn said on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo. NewsChannel 4 reported that Sen. Carl Kruger is proposing the ban in response to two recent pedestrian deaths in his district, including a 23-year-old man who was struck and killed last month while listening to his iPod on Avenue T and East 71st Street In Bergen Beach.
"While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they're tuning out the world around them," Kruger said. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street a comparable offense to jaywalking.
Some pedestrians said they were not worried about their safety while using their electronic devices while walking.
"I look for the light," said Venus Montes of Williamsburg.
"I'm still looking," said Lance Gordon of Far Rockaway. "It's not like I'm not paying attention."
Others said the proposed ban would not work.
"I don't think anyone's going to be up for this," said Patricia Lewis of Staten Island. "I don't think anyone wants this."
Other pedestrians said they thought the proposal was a good idea.
"It's too dangerous," said Nicole Lake of Jersey City. "Drivers don't pay attention and pedestrians don't pay attention."
Poster Comment:
Only a moron would support a law like this.
