'Smartphone zombies' to be fined $99 in Hawaii

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

World

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 03:37

'Smartphone zombies' to be fined $99 in Hawaii

Posted : 2017-07-31 16:28

Updated : 2017-07-31 18:21

The Hawaiian capital of Honolulu will fine people who use smartphones while on pedestrian crossings up to $99.

By Lee Han-soo

The Hawaiian capital of Honolulu will fine people who use smartphones while on pedestrian crossings up to $99, according to local news outlets Sunday.

The penalty will also apply to users of tablet PCs, e-readers, laptop computers, pagers and video game devices.

People caught jaywalking while looking at their electronic devices will face fines of up to $130.

The policy will take effect from Oct. 25.

"While we have laws in place for our motorists and our bicyclists, now it's a shared responsibility for pedestrians as well, to really pay attention as they cross the street,"said councilor Brandon Elefante, who introduced the legislation.

"Safety is a concern. We certainly don't want it to lead to a casualty or a severe injury with people crossing the street."

He said high school students had first proposed the legislation.

However, not everybody welcomes the penalty.

Some residents say the law infringes on people's personal freedom.

"Scrap this intrusive bill, provide more education to citizens about responsible electronics usage, and allow law enforcement to focus on larger issues," a resident wrote to the city council, according to Reuters news agency.