Italy is considering outlawing texting in crosswalks as part of an updated draft of its highway code, with proposed fines of €75 or more for anyone caught using a phone while crossing the street. The move targets activities such as sending messages, updating LinkedIn, or finishing Wordle, which could cause pedestrians to miss oncoming traffic.
Signal to Pedestrians
The Italian government's proposal is designed to send a signal that paying attention to traffic is important, even if many people might risk the fine to send a message. The issue of distracted pedestrians is not unique to Italy, as drivers elsewhere often encounter people inching toward intersections while focused on their phones.
Broader Annoyances
The writer applauds the Italian government's forward thinking and suggests criminalizing other small annoyances, such as using ringtones, interrupting conversations, not pushing in chairs at restaurants, and riding electric scooters on sidewalks. Each of these behaviors, the writer argues, poses dangers or inconveniences that could be addressed with fines.
The article concludes with a call to use bike lanes or other alternatives for scooters, emphasizing the risks of riding on sidewalks where pedestrians may be distracted by their phones.
