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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > New York City to ban the use of ipods while crossing the street

New York City to ban the use of ipods while crossing the street
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Zeeb
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Feb 7, 2007, 05:20 PM
 
Apparently, the proposed law would ban the use of any electronic device including cell phones while crossing city streets in NYC. This seems to be over-reaching a bit I think.

Also, simply enforcing traffic laws here would go a long way toward helping out with this problem. This is the only city I've lived in where its perfectly acceptable to run a red light, block the box, speed etc -- all within sight of the police. Yet, we need to give tickets to pedestrians--irritating.

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Rev-O
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Feb 7, 2007, 09:37 PM
 
People crossing the street while listening to an MP3 player potentially risk only their own life by being distracted and not paying adequate attention to traffic around them.
People engaged in conversations on hand held cell phones while driving potentially risk many people (other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.) by being distracted and not paying adequate attention to traffic around them.
Does New York City's government have a cell phone ban in place (which would at least show consistency in their thinking), or are they just idiots?
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Sub
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:04 PM
 
This reminds me of a punchline by Dane Cook, I think it's called "Struck by vehicle" or something like that...
     
brassplayersrock²
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:16 PM
 
just as a heads up. your link goes to the main page and no mention of the ipod thing, and there's no way to access the article after searching for it without an account on the site

-a
     
SpaceMonkey
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by Rev-O View Post
People engaged in conversations on hand held cell phones while driving potentially risk many people (other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.) by being distracted and not paying adequate attention to traffic around them.
Does New York City's government have a cell phone ban in place (which would at least show consistency in their thinking), or are they just idiots?
New York State law already bans drivers from using hand-held cell phones. You need a headset to legally use your phone while driving.
( Last edited by SpaceMonkey; Feb 7, 2007 at 10:26 PM. )

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Tiresias
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:25 PM
 
block the box
What does that mean?

ban the use of ipods while crossing the street
I think it looks good on paper. How are you going to inforce it? Some one could always claim, if stopped by the police, that they had their iPod on pause while they were crossing the street.
     
d4nth3m4n
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:33 PM
 
Originally Posted by Tiresias View Post
What does that mean?
the box is created with the four innermost edges of crosswalks in a given intersection.

i agree with the spirit of this move (assuming it's about visual distraction cause by watching a video, text messaging etc. if it's just headphones, then nevermind), but i think the implementation will be nearly impossible.
     
MDavid
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:34 PM
 
When he say's Block the box i assume he's talking about the box where cars are waiting for the green light.
     
FireWire
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Feb 7, 2007, 10:56 PM
 
I agree it's a good idea to ban people from listening to iPod or other music devices while crossing the street. In fact, I believe that's already the law here in Québec, that pedestrian, cyclists and drivers cannot use a headset while on the road. That's perfectly logical, because you can't hear the traffic or the horn if someone wants to warn you.

But to ban ALL electronic devices?? Why couldn't you talk while you cross the street if the light is green and you insured the road was clear before engaging? What if you're in a group or with a relative and they already "secured" the way? What about people using analogic devices (I never understood people that read the newspaper or a book while walking.. it's outright dangereous, there are potholes and other things in the way every few feets, not including people..)
     
Chuckit
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:02 PM
 
Originally Posted by FireWire View Post
I agree it's a good idea to ban people from listening to iPod or other music devices while crossing the street. In fact, I believe that's already the law here in Québec, that pedestrian, cyclists and drivers cannot use a headset while on the road. That's perfectly logical, because you can't hear the traffic or the horn if someone wants to warn you.

But to ban ALL electronic devices?? Why couldn't you talk while you cross the street if the light is green and you insured the road was clear before engaging?
So it's possible to check if the street is clear while talking on a cell phone, but not while listening to music on an iPod? Your logic seems a bit inconsistent.

Anyway, New York already sucks for enough reasons that this is just a drop in the bucket.
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FireWire
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:29 PM
 
Of course you can, but if something happens, you won't hear it if you're listening to music.. Someone can have faulty brakes, an ambulance may be coming full speed, a driver can be distracted and continue on the red light and may try to warn you if he can't avoid you.
     
Chuckit
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by FireWire View Post
Of course you can, but if something happens, you won't hear it if you're listening to music.. Someone can have faulty brakes, an ambulance may be coming full speed, a driver can be distracted and continue on the red light and may try to warn you if he can't avoid you.
I don't know what kind of volume you blast your music at, but I find it much easier to pay attention to my surroundings while listening to an iPod than while actively participating in a conversation with somebody (which takes both my ears and my mind away from what's around me).
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Atheist
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:32 PM
 
I suppose then it should be illegal for deaf people to cross the street?
     
climber
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:46 PM
 
Originally Posted by Atheist View Post
I suppose then it should be illegal for deaf people to cross the street?
They have special training?
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Atheist
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by climber View Post
They have special training?
Why yes they do... Look both ways before crossing.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Feb 7, 2007, 11:52 PM
 
They probably shouldn't let people listen to the radio in their car, either.

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brokenjago
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Feb 8, 2007, 12:08 AM
 
I think we should just go all the way and ban ears in general.
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Chuckit
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Feb 8, 2007, 12:38 AM
 
Originally Posted by climber View Post
They have special training?
It actually takes no special training to be deaf. You just have to not be able to hear, and BAM, you're deaf.
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Feb 8, 2007, 01:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by Sub View Post
This reminds me of a punchline by Dane Cook, I think it's called "Struck by vehicle" or something like that...
"I finally saw someone get hit by a car. Pugh!! Nailed! This guy got hit right in the hip. That's your center of gravity. And that sends you flipping through the air like Eddy Gordo from Tekken when someone doesn't know how to do combos and they're just hitting buttons randomly..."


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Doofy
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Feb 8, 2007, 05:36 AM
 
But can you smoke whilst crossing the road?

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osiris
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Feb 8, 2007, 10:17 AM
 
I would make it a federal crime if you played your music loud enough to be heard from 5 feet away, like those assholes on the subway. Death would be a nice sentence, but knowing that these rude idiots will soon be deaf is more enough of a reward.

As for the street thing - if there is a real danger of people not hearing cars, buses and trucks - then ban all headphone/earphone devices as suggested. We're living in a society people, some basic interaction is necessary to its proper function.
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Feb 8, 2007, 12:49 PM
 
Let the people get killed. We need less stupid, careless people.

How about fining those who aren't using iPods?

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Atomic Rooster
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Feb 8, 2007, 03:35 PM
 
About twenty years ago my older brother's best friend was hit by a transport truck and killed. He was wearing a Sony cassette Walkman and riding a ten speed bike and never heard the truck and swerved in front of it.

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SpaceMonkey
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Feb 8, 2007, 08:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster View Post
About twenty years ago my older brother's best friend was hit by a transport truck and killed. He was wearing a Sony cassette Walkman and riding a ten speed bike and never heard the truck and swerved in front of it.

The End.
So obviously there was no one to prosecute. Thus, the law is worthless.

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Feb 8, 2007, 08:37 PM
 
What a total bunch of idiots.

What a waste of time and money.

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Dark Helmet
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Feb 8, 2007, 08:38 PM
 
Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster View Post
He was wearing a Sony cassette Walkman and riding a ten speed bike
I can never understand why any one would be stupid enough to do that?

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climber
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Feb 8, 2007, 08:59 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
But can you smoke whilst crossing the road?

Give the legislators an inch...
Is a public street or a private one. And if is a private street, any one work there?
climber
     
kat81
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Feb 8, 2007, 10:48 PM
 
Why not require a yearly IQ/intelligence test.
If you score below a "predefined level", then you have all these moronic bans applied to you.
If you score low enough, you also must wear sign/tag stating "I'm a moron. Watch out for me because I might walk into traffic that I didn't see because I was too busy looking at my iPod full of porn to check for traffic."
     
Doofy
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Feb 8, 2007, 11:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by kat81 View Post
Why not require a yearly IQ/intelligence test.
If you score below a "predefined level", then you have all these moronic bans applied to you.
If you score low enough, you also must wear sign/tag stating "I'm a moron. Watch out for me because I might walk into traffic that I didn't see because I was too busy looking at my iPod full of porn to check for traffic."
We've already sorted some moron indicators here:



Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
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zro
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Feb 9, 2007, 02:58 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
We've already sorted some moron indicators here:
With Spandex and hairspray being the No. 1 dead giveaway.
     
Doofy
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Feb 9, 2007, 07:22 AM
 
Originally Posted by zro View Post
With Spandex and hairspray being the No. 1 dead giveaway.
You're a Labour-voting chav and you felt insulted or something?
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
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Peter
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Feb 9, 2007, 08:03 AM
 
good to see Doofy is on form
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zro
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Feb 9, 2007, 10:40 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
You're a Labour-voting chav and you felt insulted or something?
I have no idea what a "Labour" or "chav" is.

I do know what a poseur is, though.
     
Doofy
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Feb 9, 2007, 11:03 AM
 
Originally Posted by zro View Post
I have no idea what a "Labour" or "chav" is.
Well, don't go interfering in jokes you don't understand then, moron.

Originally Posted by zro View Post
I do know what a poseur is, though.
So do I.

Poseur / Poser |ˌpəʊzə|
Noun
A person with more chicks than you.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
Zeeb  (op)
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Feb 9, 2007, 11:42 AM
 
I think Doofy is really a chav. I just picture this English dude wearing Burberry or a tracksuit with chavettes all around.
     
Doofy
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Feb 9, 2007, 11:48 AM
 
Dammit! Rumbled.
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LaGow
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Feb 9, 2007, 01:14 PM
 
Folks, I've lived in and/or worked NYC for 20 years. They can propose this stuff all they want, but it ain't gonna happen. Not even if it becomes law. It'll probably be about as effectively enforced as Herr Giuliani's progrom against jaywalkers a few years back. Which is to say: not.
     
hart
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Feb 9, 2007, 04:35 PM
 
Originally Posted by LaGow View Post
Folks, I've lived in and/or worked NYC for 20 years. They can propose this stuff all they want, but it ain't gonna happen. Not even if it becomes law. It'll probably be about as effectively enforced as Herr Giuliani's progrom against jaywalkers a few years back. Which is to say: not.
seconded

the cell-phone-while-driving thing was almost entirely a waste of time. Getting almost run over by someone turning into a cross walk while talking on the phone is an almost daily experience. People who do that think the law doesn't apply to them.

The thing is you can CATCH pedestrians and fine them. It's a lot harder if the offenders are driving. People walking are a much easier source of revenue.

As for me, I usually don't walk around with my headphones on anyway. I feel uncomfortably disconnected from my surroundings. I want to HEAR it before I get run over by someone talking on the phone.
     
zro
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Feb 10, 2007, 12:41 PM
 
Poseur / Poser |pōˈzər|
Noun
A person with more chicks clothing, makeup, and tendencies than you.
Fixed.
     
   
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