The City of Brotherly Love is getting tougher on pedestrians who don't pay attention while they're walking.
Launched in May, a program known as "Give Respect, Get Respect" is geared to crack down on all sorts of "bad behavior" on and off the road, from pedestrians who talk and text while they cross the road to bicyclists who ride on the sidewalk.
As one example cited by the CBS Philadelphia station, one cyclist had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting a man who crossed against the light while yakking it up on his cell phone.
Now the program, which has mostly doled out warnings to roadside offenders, is set to kick into high gear by issuing more tickets to those who violate the rules. Starting in August, more citations will be issued, says Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, according to CBS.
Pedestrians, bikers, and motorists caught under the expanded enforcement will be fined $120. Grant money has been used to fund the program through the summer, but Philadelphia officials are trying to pick up a second grant to extend it for another 40 weeks.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20080631-38/philly-to-fine-pedestrians-for-texting-while-walking/#ixzz1SZzOyvAj
Poster Comment:

Philadelphia's Mayor Nutter