Bill Text: NJ SJR83 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-09-30 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SJR83 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SJR83-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator FRED H. MADDEN, JR.
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, The use of cellular phones and other portable electronic devices has become a daily part of the lives of many Americans; and
Whereas, According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, there are an estimated 326.4 million active wireless devices in the United States, which are responsible for over two trillion minutes of use and over two trillion text messages annually; and
Whereas, The use of a wireless device while walking can pose serious safety risks for the person talking or texting as well as the people around them; and
Whereas, According to the Accident Analysis and Prevention Journal, 70 percent of distracted pedestrian injuries in 2010 occurred while the pedestrian was talking on the phone and nine percent took place while the pedestrian was texting; and
Whereas, A Stony Brook University study found that pedestrians were 60 percent more likely to inadvertently exit designated crosswalks when walking and texting than pedestrians who were not texting; and
Whereas, According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1,150 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2011, for injuries suffered while walking and using cellular phones or other portable electronic devices; and
Whereas, A study conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide found that one in five high school students and one in eight middle school students are distracted by a cellular telephone or other electronic device while walking; and
Whereas, A distracted walking public awareness campaign will educate the public on the dangers of using cellular phones and other portable electronic devices while walking, as similar campaigns have informed the public of the dangers of distracted driving; and
Whereas, Given the dangers of distracted walking and the possibility that a public awareness campaign may save lives in New Jersey, it is fitting and proper and in the best interests of the citizens of this State to designate and observe September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of September of each year shall be designated as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to promote public awareness about the dangers of distracted walking.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, community-based organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate educational activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
The use of cellular phones and other portable electronic devices has become a daily part of American life, however, the use of these devices while walking can pose serious safety risks for pedestrians.
Recent studies demonstrate that talking on the phone and texting can be distracting for pedestrians of all ages. Due to the risks associated with distracted walking, it is therefore in the best interests of the State to designate September of each year as "Distracted Walking Awareness Month" and to educate the public on the dangers of distracted walking.
