Taiwan Considering Law To Fine Mobile Phone Distracted Pedestrians

Just the other day we reported that mobile phone related injuries in Japan is on the rise. This does not mean texting/talking while driving, but rather text/talking while walking. This has resulted in accidents where people bump into others and knocking them down, serious injury, and in some cases even death where a man stepped onto the train tracks because he was not paying attention.

Perhaps looking to curb the amount of injuries, Taiwan’s legislators have recently proposed a law in which it will fine those who cross the street while being distracted by their smartphones. We can see why they would do this – imagine crossing the road without checking for cars simply because you were too engrossed in your mobile device. This not only proves to be a danger to pedestrians, but also to drivers who might have to jam on their brakes.

This has happened before in Taiwan where a young woman was killed after being hit by a taxi while crossing the street. Such a law is not new as it has been proposed in New Jersey before (although it failed to pass). However the proposed fines seem to be a bit on the low side and only suggests fining transgressors a measly $10, which is hardly a deterrent.

According to legislators, they will attempt to define a “distracted pedestrian” as someone who has their head down while looking at a screen, either for texting, gaming, or web surfing. What do you guys think? Will such a law pass, and more importantly, will people take it seriously?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Legal