However Police Maj. Kurt Kendro of HPD’s Traffic Division testified in opposition, saying the bill in its current form is “overbroad.”
The bill, introduced by Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi on behalf of a constituent, would add pedestrians to the current law that prevents drivers from holding a cell phone or other electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Kendro told council members applying the same definition to pedestrians is like comparing apples to oranges.
“If you’re just holding a laptop computer or cellular phone or any other device that meets the definition you’d be in violation of this law while you’re crossing the street, even if you’re not actively using it.”
HPD DOESN’T KEEP TRACK
While studies by the department of psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham show pedestrians using a crosswalk are more likely to be hit by a car while using an electronic device, Honolulu police don’t keep track whether cell phones and other gadgets play a role in pedestrian fatalities.
So far this year five pedestrians have been killed on Oahu, of those three were in marked crosswalks. In 2010 twenty pedestrians lost their lives, almost double the eleven fatalities the previous year.
Only two people testified about Kobayashi’s proposal, Bill 43, one in favor and one against the ban.
“Everyone’s yelling and screaming about the (city) budget and you guys are talking about crossing a crosswalk with a cell phone in your hand,” said Makiki resident Bob Keating. “I mean come on where’s the common sense around here, this is ridiculous!”
“As a new driver it makes me feel safer knowing that pedestrians won’t be like texting while crossing the street,” countered Ewa Beach resident Kristi Fuchikami.
On Monday while talking to Khon2, Kobayashi admitted that banning pedestrians from using cell phones and other devices while crossing city roads will be a challenge.
“It’ll take a lot of discussion before this piece of legislation passes because we don’t want to regulate too much and yet we’re worried about the safety of pedestrians,” said the councilwoman.
As far as cracking down on drivers who “hold” their cell phones and other gadgets while driving, HPD is not backing off.
After issuing 10,101 citations in all of 2010, HPD has written 2,679 tickets from January through March of this year. If the current rate holds the police department will surpass last year’s numbers by 615 citations. Each driver who is stopped for holding an electronic device in their hands is fined $67.
If the cell phone ban for pedestrians becomes law, it’s unclear how much of a fine violators would face.
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See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
