MPP’s bill would ban texting while crossing street

TORONTO A proposed law targeting distracted pedestrians will open up a broader debate about the risky behaviour, an Ontario politician advocating for a “zombie bill” said Monday.

Liberal backbencher Yvan Baker said the bill — called the Phones Down, Heads Up Act — would impose fines for anyone caught using a cellphone or electronic device while crossing the street.

Named after the supernatural creatures, the “zombie bill” would encourage pedestrians to put down electronic devices by imposing fines ranging from $50 for a first offence to $125 for a third offence.

“If you walk the streets, you see people on their cellphones crossing the road using their phones,” Baker said.

“Experts tell us that if you are distracted as a pedestrian that you are more likely to get hurt.”

In the first nine months of this year, 25 pedestrians died on Toronto streets. Last year, 43 pedestrians were hit and killed on city streets.

According to Ontario’s chief coroner, 11 out of 95 pedestrian deaths in 2010 involved people distracted by a cellphone or electronic device.

The bill would only allow exceptions for pedestrians calling emergency services, or when they’re continuing a phone call started before crossing the road. Municipalities would have the ability to opt-out of the law.