The Honolulu City Council in Hawaii passed a bill this week making it illegal for pedestrians to use their phones while crossing the street. Anyone caught driving will be fined up to $99.
The city councilor, who introduced the bill, said he got the idea from teenagers who worry about their friends (!!).
School groups expressed their concern for their classmates that the caution them crossing the streets and looking at their phones instead of looking at the road from both sides. Advances in technology can sometimes be distracting and cause people to not pay attention.
The Bill passed with 7-2 votes. A political opponent, he wisely pointed out that coping with children on their own terms would be more effective:
Teenagers are more affected than their peers. A campaign in social media it could probably be more expansive than any legislation we pass.
The bill will have to be signed by the mayor in order for it to come into force.