Distracted walking updates: Israel's Knesset reportedly will consider a ban on text messaging while walking. The country already outlaws texting and using cell phones while driving. The texting & walking issue bubbled up again in May 2012 as the Huffington Post reported incorrectly that Fort Lee, N.J., had banned the practice and was handing out $85 tickets. The popular blog retracted the story after the police chief said he was misquoted or misunderstood. Fort Lee's tickets were for jaywalking. New York state Sen. Carl Kruger tried unsuccessfully for at least four years to get a law prohibiting pedestrians from using handheld electronics devices while in the crosswalks of Manhattan. News … [Read more...]

Bikes and distracted driving: As laws restricting drivers' use of cell phones and texting devices spread throughout the nation, legislators appear to be fine-tuning their bills to include bicyclists. This page tracks distracted driving legislation and laws affecting bicyclists and riders of other two-wheeled vehicles. 2011 law, legislation updates: Bicyclists in Chicago are prohibited from using handheld cell phones and texting as of November. Alderman Marge Laurino's plan sailed through the City Council on Oct. 5. Laurino, a rider who describes herself as "proponent of cycling," said the idea was to "level the field" with motorists, who are banned from texting and talking in city limits. … [Read more...]