New York Senator Carl Kruger recently revealed his plans to introduce a bill banning the use of portable electronic devices in crosswalks in major cities. The Senator's bill will ban the use of devices such as music players, video players, cell phones, smart phones and gaming devices. Kruger, who represents New York's 27th district in Brooklyn, claims that the use of portable electronics while crossing streets can be fatal.
"You can't be fully aware of your surroundings if you're fiddling with a Blackberry, dialing a phone number, playing Super Mario Brothers on a Game Boy, or listening to music on an iPod," Kruger said. This lack of awareness, which Kruger calls "iPod Oblivion," has been a major factor in numerous fatal accidents. Although Kruger did not cite statistical data of any kind indicating a rise in electronic related fatalities, he did, however, mention the death of a 23-year-old Brooklyn man who was concentrating on his iPod rather than an approaching city bus.
In his speech, Kruger also mentioned efforts by the San Diego Police Department to encourage safety for users of portable electronics. Though the police asked people to "keep a watchful eye" for muggers and pickpockets while using such devices, they claim that many made no efforts to limit their use. Although other U.S. cities issue the same safety warning, Kruger argues that the true threat is road traffic.
Violating the law could mean a $100 fine and a criminal court summons for any transgressions. The law could also anger many; for example, joggers and cyclists would have to limit their music player use to parks where crossing a street is not necessary.
"If you want to listen to your iPod, sit down and listen to it. You want to walk in the park? Enjoy it. You want to jog arround a jogging path? All the more power to you. But you should not be crossing streets and endangering yourself and the lives of others," Kruger said.
The ban could also irritate business people, who depend on Blackberries, along with anyone who sends e-mails or text messages using a mobile device.
Apparently "iPod Oblivion" has spread to our own Rose Hill campus, and Fordham Security has reacted with a few preventative measures. Fordham Security protects the portable electronic-using student by limiting the number of cars driving on campus and by directing the bulk of them to the parking lot. Pick-ups and drop-offs are asked to be completed at the main gate as well. Only time will tell if Senator Kruger's bill will pass.
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