The Act Is Now A Fineable Offense

If you have ever been walked into by someone texting and walking, or almost hit someone who was distracted and crossing the street, this ones for you. But it’s not all fun and games. In Honolulu, Hawaii, pedestrian fatalities rose by 10% in 2016. So, it is in effect to protect distracted pedestrians.

But, it’s not just texting, to be clear. It’s just staring at one’s phone that will be a fineable offense, effective Wednesday. So no more tweeting, snapping, online shopping, Facetiming…while crossing the street. The fine is upwards of $35, and up to $99 for repeat offenders. That’s a steep price to pay to look at your phone for the few seconds it takes to cross the street.

Honolulu isn’t the only city to attempt this protection of distracted persons. According to the New York Times, the city of Hayward, California, has put up signs asking pedestrians to wait to use their devices until they have cleared the roadway.