Honolulu has passed legislation aimed at distracted walkers in their city. The bill takes specific aim at those people who are walking and texting thus placing themselves and others at risk of injury and death.
All pedestrians in Honolulu will be banned from looking at a mobile phone while in any crosswalk after the mayor signed a bill, known as the “Distracted Walking Law” into force on July 27, 2017. First time violators will be fined between $15 and $35 depending on the severity of the infraction and the penalty rises to up to $99 for repeat offenders. The bill excludes anyone making a 911 call “a free pass” and first responders. Honolulu holds the distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly seniors, than almost any other city in the county.
In Honolulu alone there were more than 11,000 injuries from incidents distracted walking and cell phones between 2000 and 2011. These figures come from the National Safety Council which also reports the majority of those injuries happened at home. The rise of “phone zombies” has become a cause of concern for lawmakers nationwide and while most have focused their action on the danger for moving vehicles more and more attention is being placed on digital pedestrian activity. Texting while driving has thankfully been outlawed in 47 states along with the District of Columbia, and 15 states prohibit any handheld cell phone use in a car at all.
Our office has seen a dramatic rise in cell phone related injuries and injuries that were caused by distractions of many sorts. Other distractions include reading, eating, shaving, putting make up on, dealing with children and even dealing with pets. Distraction related laws have been in the California Vehicle Code since the 1970’s!
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when they refuse to follow the law. We help with serious issues that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth. We have over 80 years of experience in our plaintiff’s only law firm. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We Can Help!
