Pols Try to Curb Enthusiasm for Ped-Texting

Though walking and texting is commonplace for many Americas, experts and politicians are considering whether the increased risk of walking into a mailbox—or oncoming traffic—is worth the convenience. A bill to make the practice illegal is working through the Illinois legislature, the Chicago Tribune reports, with advocates citing a growing number of injuries—and deaths—associated with ped-texting.

 “It's becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves,” says one supporter of the bill, which would result in a misdemeanor charge and a $25 fine for anyone caught using a wireless device while crossing. Still, one researcher says he’s become proficient: “It's not something I could've done 10 years ago. It's a matter of practice. Now it comes automatically.” (More texting stories.)