Wear your earbuds in the street, get fined?

[TechMan]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20029623-247.html

Lawmakers in various states are introducing bills that would: fine cyclists $20 for texting (California), fine cyclists $90 for wearing headphones or earbuds (Oregon), broaden a ban to include any handheld communication devices (Virginia) and ban the use of electronic devices while crossing streets (New York.)  Evidently pedestrian fatalities were up for the first time in four years in the 1st 1/2 of 2010.  Pedestrian fatalities fell in New York, California and Texas.  The states that had the largest jump in pedestrian fatalities were Florida, Arizona, Oregon, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.  Example of "tuning in and tuning out": 

a 21-year-old man listening to an iPod Nano in a crosswalk on Madison Avenue in New York last December was killed when a Mack truck backed into him and dragged him 30 feet. Presumably, the man did not hear the beeping of the truck in reverse.

Why are we trying to legislate natural selection out of existence?

[kgbsquirrel]

Why are we trying to legislate natural selection out of existence?

Tradition mostly.

[SADShooter]

To expand, because functionally dependent masses of people make structured political patronage possible.

[Jamisjockey]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20029623-247.html

Lawmakers in various states are introducing bills that would: fine cyclists $20 for texting (California), fine cyclists $90 for wearing headphones or earbuds (Oregon), broaden a ban to include any handheld communication devices (Virginia) and ban the use of electronic devices while crossing streets (New York.)  Evidently pedestrian fatalities were up for the first time in four years in the 1st 1/2 of 2010.  Pedestrian fatalities fell in New York, California and Texas.  The states that had the largest jump in pedestrian fatalities were Florida, Arizona, Oregon, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.  Example of "tuning in and tuning out": 
Why are we trying to legislate natural selection out of existence?

It's been done for years.  Case in point, motorcycle helmet laws.  

[Fly320s]

Will those states fine deaf people, too, for getting run over by trucks?

[MillCreek]

Will those states fine deaf people, too, for getting run over by trucks?

Something I think about, with my bilateral hearing loss. 

[erictank]

Will those states fine deaf people, too, for getting run over by trucks?

No, those responsible for this bill are just fine with them being selected for extinction. 

[BridgeRunner]

So, we need a war on obesity, because Americans are all too fat.

But we also need to impose another barrier to exercise. 

Perhaps the government is ok with runners/walkers/bikers doing our thing just so long as we don't enjoy it.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

You cannot legislate situational awareness.

[brimic]

...And here is the unintended consequence of the legislation:

[freakazoid]

Will those states fine deaf people, too, for getting run over by trucks?

A deaf person should wear some earbuds while driving, and a blind person should handle electronic equipment while walking.