NJ Town Cracking Down on Careless Pedestrians

    We’ve seen crackdowns on texting and driving…but what about texting and walking?  A New Jersey town is taking steps to curb wayward walkers.

    FOX News Radio’s Chris Hoenig reports:

    Fort Lee, New Jersey – across the Hudson River from New York City – is stepping up summonses on pedestrians who wander out into traffic.  The problem: cell phones.  Texting and walking ON A SIDEWALK: not a problem.

    (Ripoli) “It’s not a crime, but when you’re jaywalking and doing it, then it is.”

    Police Chief Thomas Ripoli has dealt with more pedestrian fatalities already this year than all of last year.

    (Ripoli) “It’s not about the summonses, it’s just education and trying to keep the safety of everyone.”

    Walkers are not the only ones they’re watching.

    (Ripoli) “We summons the motorists who do not give the pedestrians the right of way, so we’re hitting both ends.”

    Pedestrians who get off with just a warning also walk off with a pamphlet detailing the dangers of distracted walking.

    In New York, Chris Hoenig, FOX News Radio.

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