A new law in Honolulu, Hawaii, dubbed the “Distracted Pedestrian” makes it illegal for pedestrians to cross a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device including video games, laptops, and smartphones.
Fines for violators will vary. First-time offenders will get a ticket between $15-$35. After the second offense, the ticket will be $35-$75. Offenders can expect to spend as much as $99 for the third violation. Honolulu is the first major metropolis to set up a fine schedule for humans staring into their phones while walking, despite almost every state in the country having a law against texting while driving. The new law will officially go into effect on October 25, giving police enough time to explain the new rules to the public.