Pedestrians, stop chatting on cellphones in crosswalks

Q I see many pedestrians texting and neither looking right nor left while entering or leaving the crosswalk, putting their lives in danger. I think there needs to be a ban on this. I know San Mateo County is wise to be considering such a law.

I say we open this problem up for discussion in your column. What do you think?

— Sonny Man, San Jose

A Let the debate commence.

Q We need a sign that says “pedestrians get off your phone and pay attention.” That goes for drivers as well.

— Michael McWalters, Alviso

A San Mateo County supervisors are pressing state legislators to pass a ban on pedestrians from using cellphones in crosswalks. A report two years ago by the National Safety Council said it is “just as important to walk cell-free as it is to drive cell-free,” because “pedestrians and drivers using cellphones are both impaired and too men- tally distracted to fully focus on their surroundings.”

Pedestrian mistakes account for nearly as many crashes as do drivers. And recently the state Office of Traffic Safety highlighted the need for pedestrians to put their phones away.

A 2013 survey by Liberty Mutual found that most pedestrians admit to being distracted — 60 percent walk while texting, emailing, talking on the phone or listening to music, despite 70 percent considering those behaviors to be dangerous.

Pedestrians consider smartphone use to be the most dangerous distracted crossing behavior (70 percent), more so than jaywalking (24 percent) or running across the street to beat traffic (40 percent).

Q In a column, you referred to “Complete Streets,” defining them as “streets that factor in needs of all users — pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers.”

You forgot a category — joggers! — David Knoblich, San Jose

A And …

Q I live near a park that is a favored destination for the “airing” of babies. Almost all of the carriages and strollers are pushed in the street, not on the sidewalk. Thankfully, there have been no incidents with traffic that I know of but the potential is obviously there.

Is there any legal prohibition to using the streets for such use when sidewalks are available?

— Ron Johnstone, Santa Clara

A State law is vague on this. It prohibits walking in streets “outside a business or residence district.” So that would mean in all other areas walking in the street is legal though people are required to jog or walk facing traffic.

The driver of the vehicle would have the right of way but would have to yield if the runner was crossing the roadway.

As for strollers, use the sidewalk. That’s common sense.