Illinois Considering Anti-Walking-and-Texting Bill
While seemingly ridiculous, the bill's sponsor Ken Dunkin assures us that this is no laughing matter. Two pedestrians have been killed this year in New York City because they were allegedly texting while crossing the street. Even one of our contributors had a close call and was saved from a potentially life-ending texting and crossing accident by a certain Star Trek star. But famous folks are getting into texting-while-walking accidents, too. Take Barack Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, who twisted her ankle when she stepped off a curb while distracted by her BlackBerry.
Though there aren't any hard statistics regarding injuries from texting while walking, anecdotal evidence abounds. The American College of Emergency Physicians issued a warning about the practice after it gathered reports from ERs around the country, including a pair of deaths in California, and loads of superficial wounds from walking into telephone poles, lamp posts, and yes, even walls.
So maybe there is something to this law, which on the surface is just begging to be mocked. However, like jaywalking, this law is not likely to be easily enforceable, we think. [Source: GeekSugar and CBS News]
Filed under: Cell Phones
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Dan Balanoff @ Jul 31st 2008 12:03PM
FLUNKIN DUNKIN! After reading the article I’m alarmed that a State Representative who’s district is facing so many serious problems is spending his time introducing such unnecessary legisltaion. It’s not laughable, it’s just plain irresponsible. Ken Dunkin should be more concerned with the children being killed on his streets and the state’s buget crisis rather than the texting habbits of Chicago’s walkers. What’s he going to take on next, J walking?!
-Dan Balanoff
Jen Clark @ Jul 31st 2008 2:07PM
I looked up Ken Dunkin on Google and I just knew he had to be a democrat! They won't be happy until they control every aspect of our lives because obviously we can't be trusted to make our own decisions. What ever happened to "survival of the fittest?" We have to stop preventing stupid people from killing themselves because they keep re-producing!
kathyn4kids @ Aug 2nd 2008 2:49AM
I TOTALLY AGREE W U!!
Bobby G @ Aug 2nd 2008 2:12AM
Yeah, Jen. But, what about when some idiot walks in front of your car and you end up with a banged up front end and broken windshield? I say give 'em a ticket. There are too many stupid people causing too many stupid problems. We should make a little money off of them. Charge them the same as if they were driving at night without headlights on.
Ozimiria @ Jul 31st 2008 4:39PM
Having lived in Illinois, I can tell you how ridiculous our legislators and elected officials can be. I would deliberately and flagrantly violate this ridiculous law, and work hard to remove every elected official that voted for it, by campaigning for the next inept porkbelly'er to challenge them.
At least, that's how the system should work. As we all know, it doesn't go that way. That's why I moved out, and don't plan on returning.
Jay Skal @ Aug 1st 2008 8:17PM
I never comment on these issues, but this is too much. Why should there be a law to protect people that are too stupid to take care os themselves when they have complete control over when and where they text message. Unlike distracted drivers, who pose a danger to others, pedestrian text messagers have only themselves to blame for their own injuries, discomfort or death.
Bill @ Aug 1st 2008 9:20PM
I'm sure our founding fathers are rolling in their graves. This measure is so close to 1984 it's beyond ridiculous. I guess we should also ban walking with friends, family and strangers as well. We may talk to them while crossing the street and this, in turn, may create a distraction. I can't wait to actively campaign against Ken Dunkin since he is my representative.
Stephanie @ Aug 2nd 2008 12:28AM
Hey Bill, talk about taking the story to a rediculous extreme. Although I don't agree with this law, it's people like you that are dumb enough to get hit, the one whose safety is attempting to be protected by this law. Don't bring Orwell into this, with your level of intelligence, and devotion to conspiracy theory, Tom Clancy is really much closer to your speed. Stupid marxist.
dutchesoclair @ Aug 1st 2008 9:29PM
if you people can not see that the goverment is trying to pull every right you have from under you! All I got to say is you are all hopless and deserve to be treated as slaves to the goverment for them to do to you as they wish!!!! I say that the people in ILL should find where this guy lives and camp out buy the thousands chanting over and over WE DONT WANT YOUR HITLER WAYS and burn NATZI flags at his door steep
sid @ Aug 1st 2008 9:45PM
it's a bad law, it'll keep too many stupid people alive to do harm to others!
Kyla @ Aug 1st 2008 10:45PM
I agree. Laws like this interfere with the process of Mother Nature thinning the herd of the truly stupid.
apelay10 @ Aug 1st 2008 9:59PM
The goverment is trying to make this country a coutry where fleas have more rights than humans.I would try to remove every person who voted for this bill be removed from office but the public can't remove someone from office unless they do a major crime.Some people are so crazy with power that they make the dummest laws.
Ashley @ Aug 1st 2008 11:33PM
I agree that this should not be a law because people should be held accountable for their own actions if they decide to put themselves at risk like that. However, I can assure you that removing the right to text while crossing a street is not lowering our rights to below those of fleas. We have numerous rights that others don't have, but instead of being thankful for them everyone complains about how it's just not enough. They're not suggesting this legislation to impose on our rights, they're suggesting it for the safety of people, even if they are the dumbest (not dummest) people around. You shouldn't feel the need to force everyone from office just because they supported the bill. Are you really so easily persuaded, or possibly ignorant, to believe that because someone supported this particular bill that they are bad government leaders? I really don't see how someone supposedly "crazy with power" (and you should use that phrase very loosely) would see this as a way to demonstrate their authority, anyways. You should be more informed about the distribution of power in our government.
brad aka clumsy! @ Aug 1st 2008 10:09PM
okay the law is stupid because people are stupid--- you can be sipping coffee, etc anything to distract you. if you have a cross sign you should expect a reasonable amount of safety no matter what is distracting you, however never assume that completely too often people are turning right on red, and not looking for pedestrians, or running lights.
so i called myself clumsly, because once i was texting nonstop, walked off the bus tripped fell on the sidewalk! too distracted to see the curb was further than I thought! i stopped texting so much --- for the amount of time alot of us spend imiming/texting we could be face to face having coffee! or talk on the phone!
MisterKphett @ Aug 1st 2008 10:22PM
You cant or shouldnt legistlate "stupidity". If your lack what is called intelligence.. which many people these days do... then you deserve whatever fate befalls you for being such a supreme ignromaus. If you feel that you gotta text while walking because YOU ARE JUST THAT IMPORTANT... and get hit head on by a lethal weapon (car/truck) then you my friend deserve whatever you got coming your way. Trying to legistlate stupidity is pointless... because as long as humans exist... stupidity will live on.
Snarky @ Aug 1st 2008 10:25PM
Unfreakingbelievable. The all-wise government feels the need to step in again and protect society from it's own overwhelming stupidity. First it was seatbelts, then bicycle helmets, talking on a cell phone while driving, and now texting while walking? What's the charge going to be.... TWW?
Enough with the government micro-managing our lives already.
Fuzzywhoa @ Aug 1st 2008 10:33PM
You have to be kidding me, where is the personal accountablility? If you cant be bothered about your own well being, why should the law??? Come on, if you are that stupid that you fall off a side walk while texting than you deserve whatever ill fate you get.
Danielle @ Aug 1st 2008 11:05PM
I can text without looking so i aint getting run over. people are so dumb these days - it doesnt suprise me they need to make a bill like that. people are so retarded and clumsy at one of the stores in a nearby mall they had to put a piece of paper reading "CAUTION GLASS" on a huge glass wall. Obviously someone ran into this glass and complained about it so they put up the sign.
frank costanza @ Aug 1st 2008 11:12PM
all of these people expressing their "OUTRAGE" about this are grossly overreacting. this kind of restriction isn't taking away our freedoms, it's trying to get people to exercise some caution. it's the same as the law that says you can't talk on your cell phone while driving. when crossing a street as a pedestrian you are expected to pay attention to traffic, and it's entirely understandable for lawmakers to do everything in their power to ensure that you aren't endangering your safety. at least this law aims to serve a purpose and improve the safety of society. if you people want to get riled up about laws, don't waste your time on cell phone texting restrictions. make a scene about our counterproductive drug laws, or the bush policies that actually ARE taking away our liberties.
Jeff @ Aug 1st 2008 11:18PM
I say let them die if they are too fuking stupid to know better then to text and walk. Its no different then Drinking and driving let them DIE> We dont need IDIOTS in this world we need people that have COMMON SENSE. APPARENTLY many of the people that are so called ALIVE feel they have COMMON sense. My Question is do they or dont they. I see stupid fukers driving and texting all the time on the freeway in Minnesota. I say if they crash let them die and pay bigtime for not paying attention. But if one of those IDIOTS hits me and causes bodily harm it wont be the law or the court they will have to worry about it will be ME. I will go after them and give them a baseball BAT party.. Rest Assured.