[daer0n]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Walk, jog or bicycle across a New York street with an iPod plugged in your ears and you could get slapped with a $100 ticket under a new law proposed by a legislator from Brooklyn.
State Sen. Carl Kruger's bill would also outlaw the use of cell phones, Blackberries, video games or other electronic devices when crossing the street.
He cited the death of a 21-year-old man who was listening to music when he stepped off a curb and was hit by a bus in Brooklyn in September, and the death of a 23-year-old iPod listener last month.
"If you're so involved in your electronic device that you can't see or hear a car coming, this is indicative of a larger problem that requires some sort of enforcement beyond the application of common sense," Kruger said.
Jason Koppel, Kruger's chief of staff, said listeners would merely have to pull the earphones out for the few seconds it takes to cross the street.
Kruger said the legislation would be introduced this week.
Charlotte Troisgros, 16, a Manhattan student talking on her cell phone in a crosswalk near City Hall on Wednesday, laughed and said the law may not be such a bad idea.
"You really don't pay attention. You might get hit by a car," she said.
E. Christopher Murray, a civil liberties attorney, said the proposal is excessive.
"With our schools failing, health costs out of control, and crushing property taxes, the legislature would rather play mother by legislating how we cross the street," he said. "What's next? Do you get fined if you don't look both ways?"

[emily_3383]

yeah i heard about this and i would so get a ticket. I need my ipod.

[Lauren]

I heard about that on the news yesterday... I think it's kind of stupid, I mean you can still look both ways when you cross the street.

[PerfectMistake]

That is so dumb! It's an iPod for crying out loud!

[dioraddict_xo]

There considering it in Canada too

[emily_3383]

its ipods and cellphones.

[crazy13eautiful]

Someone presented this today for their current event in my Govt class, I thought it was a joke at first, but wow. Is this just New York?

[emily_3383]

someone just said Canada too. Im guessing its like all major cities that have alot of car and people traffic.

[Delphine]

Well, I go running everyday with my ipod on and I must admit I do not hear everything around me but I do watch for cars etc...

[daer0n]

I know, law gets dumber everyday hey?

[magosienne]

that's a bit stupid, but i admit i can be sometimes distracted (though i always watch for cars etc)

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by emily_3383

yeah i heard about this and i would so get a ticket. I need my ipod.

ditto.

i always wonder about it, though. i always minimize the volume in case there are sirens or something.

[Marisol]

Wow, I can't believe that this is what our government is concerned with.

[KimC2005]

I heard about this the other day.. Its a little ridiculous in my opinion!

[daer0n]

Originally Posted by KimC2005

I heard about this the other day.. Its a little ridiculous in my opinion!

I agree, i think there should be other things that the goverment should worry about that are more important than crossing the street while you are using headphones, an ipod or whatever...