‘No Texting’ rule in city streets mulled
DISTRACTED WALKING ORDINANCE
A CITY ordinance proposing to penalize anyone texting while crossing a street or highway in Dagupan City has been filed.
Councilor Maybelyn DC. Fernandez filed the “Distracted Walking Ordinance” draft that seeks to regulate the use of cellphone by a pedestrian.
The proposed ordinance seeks to improve the safety of pedestrians and prevent accidents when they cross the city’s streets and highways, Fernandez said.
She said texting and reading messages on a cellphone while crossing a street or highway can be almost as dangerous as using a phone while driving.
“For not only are pedestrians taking their eyes off their surroundings and therefore less able to react, they are also more likely to ignore oncoming traffic and to walk more slowly than if they were not trying to multitask,” said Councilor Fernandez.
“While so much attention has been paid to distract driving, distracted walking has not received similar policies and effective interventions as to improve pedestrian safety,” she added.
Exempted by proposed ordinance are: Use of earphones, talking on a cellphone provided pedestrians are not looking down at the device while doing so; and emergency responder viewing a cellphone while in the performance and scope of his or her official duties.
The Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) will be directed to enforce the ordinance with corresponding penalty on violators.
Under the proposed ordinance, if the violation is committed by a minor, the applicable penalty shall be imposed upon his parents or guardian. (CIO.JCB)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
