“After targeting drivers who paid more attention to their phone calls and text messages than the road, lawmakers in Arkansas and New York are now looking to crack down on pedestrians equally distracted by their own electronic gadgets,” AP reports. “Lawmakers in both states have proposed restrictions on using cellphones and music players such as iPods by people running and walking on the street or sidewalk.”
“The proposal in Arkansas would ban pedestrians from wearing headphones in both ears while on, parallel or adjacent to a street, road, intersection or highway,” AP reports. “The measure also applies to runners and cyclists and would allow pedestrians to wear headphones in one ear. ‘You might not get the full effect of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with one ear, but you at least will be aware of your surroundings,’ said Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, a Democrat from Crossett who proposed the legislation.”
MacDailyNews Take: Apparently, even to an Arkansas Senator, Emmet Otter’s Jug Band can’t compare to the BSO. (Note to all Arkansans, the preceding was a joke. We love you very much.)
AP continues, “Democratic State Sen. Carl Kruger in New York has been trying since 2007 to ban the use of cellphones, iPods and other gadgets by pedestrians in major cities while crossing the street. The proposal would ban the use of an electronic device while crossing the crosswalk in a city with a population of one million or more. Violators would face a $100 civil fine.”
“Jean Knaack, executive director of the Road Runners Club of America, said her group doesn’t ban headphones but recommends against their use while running or advises runners to at least use only one earphone. Knaack said she’s discouraged when she sees runners at group runs or races plugging into their iPhones or other music players, saying it takes away from the social aspect of the sport,” The AP reports. “‘I certainly would rather see it be more of an education campaign than an outright limitation,’ Knaack said. ‘There are some people who have just convinced themselves they can’t run without it. They need that crutch to be able to get out and do it.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, if you take away an enjoyable aspect of something, fewer people will do it and, after all, isn’t what we really need most right now are more obese people in New York and Arkansas? Perhaps the Jerry Springer Cut-‘Em-Out-O’-Their-House Brigade is the lobbying force behind this one?
AP reports, “Jeffress said his legislation, which does not spell out any penalty for a violation, is aimed more at increasing awareness than punishing pedestrians. ‘I don’t envision the earphone police going out and arresting people,’ Jeffress said. ‘I don’t see anybody being stopped to check what’s in their ears.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: “I don’t see anybody being stopped to check what’s in their ears.” Then you don’t need a law, dummy.
Time to face two simple facts:
• The government can’t even order toilet seats properly; they certainly can’t protect you from life.
• Natural selection exists for a reason; thwart it and you end up with U.S. Senators who propose laws they don’t expect to be enforced.