Proposed law would ban texting while crossing the street in Nevada
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Many drivers have already learned the hard way that it's against the law to text and drive in Nevada. Now, one lawmaker is looking to take it a few steps further and make it illegal to text while walking in some circumstances. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Many drivers have already learned the hard way that it's against the law to text and drive in Nevada. Now, one lawmaker is looking to take it a few steps further and make it illegal to text while walking in some circumstances.
The bill was introduced on Thursday. Its sponsor, Harvey Munford, said the goal is to make busy crosswalks a little safer by making it a crime for pedestrians to text or read their phones while crossing.
Some Nevadans agree the bill would keep people safer.
"I don't think you should be walking in traffic and be using your cellphone," said Jessica Lerner. "It's too distracting and you're not paying attention to your surroundings."
Others say the bill is unecessary.
"I think it's a little extreme," one person said.
"People need to take more responsibility for what they're doing," another person against the bill said.
Regardless of whether the bill is passed or not, some people say it will make no difference.
"It's just like driving and texting. People are still going to do it."
The law would exclude emergency phone calls and would allow utility workers to use cellphones while responding to emergency dispatches.
Fines for using a cellphone while crossing the street would begin with a warning, followed by a $100 fine for a second offense and $250 for a third offense.
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