NJ Town – “No Texting While Walking”

Do you text while you walk? One Jersey town will be issuing tickets for that offense!

Fort Lee, N.J. police said they will begin issuing $85 jaywalking tickets to pedestrians who are caught texting while walking.

"It's a big distraction. Pedestrians aren't watching where they are going and they are not aware," said Thomas Ripoli, chief of the Fort Lee Police Department.

There have been three fatal pedestrian-involved accidents in Fort Lee this year. Chief Ripoli hopes the law will make the town safer, but not everyone is on board with the idea of issuing $85 tickets.

"When I walk I still look around. I'm not like constantly looking down the whole time," said resident Sue Choe.

Another woman complained about the tickets were "a lot of money."

Officers handed out pamphlets during a short grace period in March before they began aggressively going after "dangerous walkers."

More than 117 tickets have been issued, according to the New Jersey Record.

What do you think of this law?  I agree that too many people are distracted, but I think $85 makes it seem like an obvious cash-generator. Would it prevent you from texting while walking down the sidewalk?  Comment below!