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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

City Not Going to Fine Texting Pedestrians

Contrary to reports flooding the internet today, Philadelphia is not about to start fining pedestrians $120 for texting while walking.

Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities Rina Cutler today said that the city’s “Give Respect, Get Respect” campaign targeted at cyclists, motorists and pedestrians will include educational brochures for pedestrians, but no fines.

“It is not a crime to text and walk. It is dangerous, but not a crime. The only violation that comes close is jaywalking and no one is giving out tickets for jaywalking,” said Cutler.

A variety of news outlets today, including Gawker.com, reported that the city was poised to start handing out $120 fines for texting pedestrians. Cutler said the city is about to step up enforcement of fines for cyclists and motorists guilty of moving violations or code violations.

Mayoral Spokesman Mark McDonald let loose on Gawker over their report, according to a message they posted on the site. According to Gawker, McDonald wrote: "Your whack job reporter can spin his puerile fantasies about doing violence to people he does not like, but he first needs to get his facts straight."

And Mayor Nutter himself debunked the reports over Twitter this morning, saying: "It is NOT illegal to text and walk in Philly. You will NOT be fined. You will NOT be ticketed."
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 11:45 AM  Permalink | 23 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:53 AM, 07/19/2011
    WHY NOT. THEY TAX OR FINE YOU FOR EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!!
    — WCJRJR
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:54 AM, 07/19/2011
    Ticket them...no. Fine them...no. Run them over when they wander into the street oblivious to traffic...PLEASE!
    — Joe
  • 0 like this / 1 don't   •   Posted 11:54 AM, 07/19/2011
    The problem is that the administration doesn't grasp that most people feel that the city of Philadelphia is a joke. A complete, utterly nonsensical joke. We would believe something like this because the city is run by idiots and has been for years and years. As much as I would like to experience the arts in Philadelphia, I stay out of the city because it has sadly turned into a cesspool.
    — richard.cerzosimo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:58 AM, 07/19/2011
    The City could raise a lot more revenue if it did fine people for texting while walking since the soda tax is a dead issue.
    — republicancrow
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:35 PM, 07/19/2011
    I'd support a $500 fine to the duce blue-toothing when he's in line at the store.
    — CCRichards
  • Comment removed.
  • 1 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:05 PM, 07/19/2011
    It's not illegl to text and walk in Philly. What should be illegal is the "texts" themselves. Murdering the English language like that should be punishable by heavy fines.
    — DonQ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:07 PM, 07/19/2011
    Why not fine people for jaywalking?
    — mccarte1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:10 PM, 07/19/2011
    Text the word "GULLIBLE" to 54321 for your free safety helmet and Scooby Doo lunchbox.
    — geeknphillly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:21 PM, 07/19/2011
    How soon till they tax you for using the bathroom?
    — neddyflanders
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:24 PM, 07/19/2011
    I like running into you people when im jogging and knocking the phone out of your hand. Broke this guys I phone a few weeks ago, hahaha.
    Pick your head up, and walk in a straight line, your not the only person on the sidewalk.
    -not bob levy
    — remyy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:24 PM, 07/19/2011
    ah, so NO TICKETS for pedestrians, but tickets for bikes and cars? Nice to have it laid out so clear...
    — fishtownsteve
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:29 PM, 07/19/2011
    The city should absolutely enforce the jaywalking laws. They are at the very heart of our civility problem. Have some respect for others and follow the rules. People in this city feel like it's their right to saunter into the middle of a road with oncoming traffic and then have the audacity to give you attitude as you beep and swerve out of the way.
    — kofpm
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:41 PM, 07/19/2011
    I have absolutely no problem with this at all. Add to it tickets for people who litter and people who park in the middle of Broad Street. Why make up new decency laws when we don't enforce the ones we already have? We could probably pull ourselves out of debt just ticketing the people who throw trash over my fence
    — Philatonian
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:37 PM, 07/19/2011
    But maybe come January 1, 2012 you will need a license, several permits, payment of a monthly fee, and pass a $200 test given by a non-profit aligned with the Mayor to text while walking in the Cradle of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. TTYL.
    — Wilhelm Von Humboldt


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About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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