Pedestrians who are looking at mobile devices while crossing the street could be fined $200 on the spot.
The Pedestrian Council of Australia is calling for the huge fines to be implemented. Harold Scruby of PCA told 9 News the penalties would stop pedestrians from using their phones while crossing the roads, lowering the risk of injuries and death.
“We would like to see a penalty of $200 nationally, and it would be titled “cross road while distracted”,” he said.
However, the new proposal is already dividing Australians. Some people are saying the penalties make sense while others claim it is too much.
“Drivers and pedestrians have equal responsibility to be safe, so if they’re distracted they should probably be fined equally,” one woman wrote.
“I think that’s ridiculous. If there’s a pedestrian crossing you should be allowed to cross,” a man said.
According to road safety experts, looking at mobile devices while walking is a form of inattentive blindness.
There are laws surrounding crossing within 20 meters of a pedestrian crossing, failing to give way, and failing to follow traffic lights – all of which come with over $80 fine each.
But police said they are not yet considering further penalties for people caught using their phones while crossing the streets.
One internet user said: “Oh great, just what we need – yet ANOTHER law. We do not have nearly enough laws, please make up several more at the same time…”
Another wrote: “Cyclists should be registered and have their own insurance to drive on roads. This will help make things equal for all that use the roads.”
A third said: “Bring it on sooner. We need this as adults today are not adults any more and need a parent to supervise their safety.”
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