Next they'll ban deaf people from crossing the street, because after all, being deaf would prevent you from "being fully aware of your surroundings".
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/144476/new_york_senator_wants_to_ban_ipod.html New York Senator Wants to Ban IPod and Cellphone Use on City Streets
By Jenn Donahue
New York state senator, Carl Krueger, has announced his intentions to introduce legislation that will ban the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, and BlackBerrys while crossing streets in major cities. "You can't be fully aware of your surroundings if you're fiddling with a BlackBerry, dialing a phone number, playing Super Mario Brothers on a Game Boy, or listening to music on an iPod," Krueger said in a statement.
Sen. Krueger represents New York's 27th district in Brooklyn. A trend he refers to as "iPod oblivion" has led to a number of fatal accidents. Children and adults alike, become so consumed in their electronic devices that they fail to be aware of their surroundings. Sen. Krueger referred to the January death of a 23-year-old Brooklyn man who walked into the path of a bus while listening to his iPod.
The bill would cover more than iPods and cell phones; it would make it illegal to use any kind of 'portable electronic device' while crossing city streets. While music fans will likely complain about an iPod ban, BlackBerry bans will ignite another crowd. Joggers and bicyclists will have to limit their iPod use to areas in which no street crossing will be involved.
If this law passes, offenders will be slapped with a $100 fine and a criminal court summons. In a day and age when people do not leave home without their 'portable electronic devices' this legislation is likely to cause an uproar.
Will other cities follow the lead or will the bill fail miserably? Only time will tell.
