It’s not only dangerous to cross the street while staring down at your smartphone, it could soon cost you a €75 ticket in Italy.
As part of a review of the highway code, the Italian Ministry of Transport has proposed a plan to punish distracted walkers using mobiles, laptops, tablets and digital cameras while walking.
The €75 fine might look like a bargain, though, compared with fines of up to €1000 for using your phone while driving.
The rules would apply not only in crosswalks, but would not apply to people using headphones or earbuds—as long as they keep looking forward.
The final draft of the highway code is expected to be published by mid-October.
I’m all for it. Just been on the beach promenade and had to dodge fools not looking where they were going several times. How you’d enforce it is a different question, though.