walking while texting: should there be a law?

Unfortunately, we may need those laws. There are too many instances where idiots get hurt or hurt others because they just HAVE to respond to a text message they received. The girl should have been paying attention to her surroundings. Had she walked into traffic and gotten killed, that would have been the drivers fault for not being able to defy physics and stop instantly to avoid hitting her or the rapist's fault for her being such an easy mark? All sarcasm aside YOU are responsible for YOUR personal safety. A large portion of blame goes to the 15 year old. By the way, if it had been a 3-year old that had fallen, the blame would be the parents. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions in this society. Why is that?

While we're at it, why don't we just pass a law banning stupid people from using technology, driving, speaking, thinking or breeding? No, we DO NOT need ANOTHER law. We already have more laws than any person can reasonably live with in or keep track of. Why is it every time someone does something stupid like drop them selves down a man hole because they weren't watching where the heck they were going, that everyone starts calling for a new law? You cannot realisticly regulate stupidity.

there doesn't need to be a law. that would just be stupid. it is usual for any holes in pavements or roads to be fenced off in some way, so it is unusual for it not to be fenced, BUT that doesn't absolve people of LOOKING WHERE THEY ARE GOING. if you have an accident because you're being stupid, it's your own fault. after all, if she'd walked under a car, it wouldn't be the drivers fault. it's like when people try and sue councils when they trip on a kerb, or supermarkets if they slip on a grape. stupid people will always do stupid things, and they shouldn't expect other people to take the blame for their stupidity.

Well, it also become my concern also that many people texting while driving or walking and let loose all of their awareness. If you ask "should it be restricted by law", then I would say yes if the impact is unmanageable. It just like spitting, smoking, and throwing trash. At early time, there are no restrictions for this. But nowadays, many restrictions for these kinds of action because the impact has been greater and unmanageable. I don't know exactly the condition where the accident occured. Is it closed place, secured place, or what. Like previous comments, if the worker itself don't meet the safety standard then they should take responsibility. But if they do, then definitely the girl should bear it herself. Regards.

There shouldn't be any law just because of this. The girl was supposed to be alert of where she was going and not being negligent of her environment. There must be a sign somewhere that everybody could have noticed that there is work in progress at that particular area and if she didn't too occupied with her cell phone, she wouldn't end up walking to that area! Today she might fell into a manhole, but tomorrow who knows who or what she might crash into and worst if someone might grab her or something if she still has the habit of walking while texting. The mom should teach her to be more careful around her instead of making a decision of suing.

Depends on the laws, certainly they'd be sued in the UK because they should have had a guard rail up before they raised the cover. A blind or partially sighted person, for example, wouldn't see it. However I am sick of seeing people walking along glued to their phones either texting or playing a game. I've seen young women walking along late at night doing this and it makes me shudder because they are NOT aware of their surroundings.

No need for a texting law here. Clearly the work crew was responsible -- what if it wasn't a 15 year old but rather a 3 year old that had fallen? Someone who wasn't distracted but just didn't know any better and might have been in greater damage of dying? Leaving manholes open and unprotected is a no-no, and I actually even think a lawsuit (and I'm not at all keen on people who sue over any and everything) might be justified due to the great danger posed to young children and the visually impaired.

Well, I would have to say both are at fault in this particular situation. First, the workers are at fault, because they are working on property that the public has access to, there should be some kind of barrier around the area that they are working. The girl should not have been able to just step right into the hole with bumping into or tripping over some kind of block to where the opening is. Second, the girl is, of course at fault. We have to take responsibility for our own well being when out and about. Think of all the trouble that could of happened had she just crossed out into traffic and someone driving had to swerve out of her path and ended up causing a major accident. This could have been much worse. Hopefully she has learned a lesson and will put the phone away for a few minutes!

If you don't know how or when to use a cell phone I guess they shouldn't be allowed to have one. To many people are driving and walking while texting. I can't believe this mother is going to sue. Her daughter should have been watching where she was going. How do you walk and text at the same time? It just amazing me that people are always ready to sue someone. Meanwhile her daughter is just fine, not to mention the fact its her own fault that it happen to begin with.

The work crew should have blocked the manhole off but then again the girl should be watching where she is going. She was texting but she should be more aware of what if going on around where she is walking. No we do not need a law so people can not text and walk. I would say that both are at fault.

The girl is responsible if she was paying more attention to the road, she would have seem the hole. Although they should have put a sigh around the hole. I hope they learn from this

oh dear, if we have to regulate absolutely every part of living and breathing on this planet, so that we can avoid taking personal responsibility for our own actions or lack of them, then that is very sad indeed. Firstly, I would have thought that the crew would have immediately placed some kind of barrier around the work area before the work commenced. Seeing that the US is a very litigious nation, it would have been my first action should I have been working there. Secondly, the young lady should always be mindful and careful of where she is going. To plead ignorance of her surroundings and fall down a manhole was very stupid on her part. Im assuming that she is sighted ... so there should not have been a problem. Even if walking and texting were restricted by law, it would make no difference to a lot of people - as they would just carry on as before! Happy myLotting

In this case, i think the girl should be blamed more than the workers. She was so careless to text while walking. The workers can be blamed also for not covering the manhole and not putting an early warning device but seeing that there are men working near the manhole that mesns that she should stay away from that area. Texting while walking poses danger because the texter might bumped into a person or a post.In crowded place they can also distruct other person who are walking hurriedly behind them. I dont think a law should be passed prohibiting persons from texting when walking, because i think it should be everybody's responsibility to discipline ourselves.

actually, in the given situation, i would say that it's the girl's fault. except ofcourse if the manhole has been open for days, plus they should have barricaded the area just to inform people of the open hole, but the girl should have been more careful by atleast looking to where she's walking and if it's really important for her to reply back through her phone then she should have stop in a place where she can be safe. but to make a law, that restrict people to text while walking, I really think, this things is just a matter of discipline and not about law. not laws that is created has been followed.

I feel bad that the young girl was injured, but the city should have not left an exposed hole. She also is equally at fault for walking while texting. I have noticed people texting in public restrooms, in line, in traffic, and even in business meetings. People sometimes don't see how addicted they are to texting

People are so focused on their phones and texting nowadays. It seems that they don't really pay much attention to what's going on around them. It's really stupid in my opinion to be texting while doing something else. It's not really difficult to stop, go to the side, and then text. Once it's done, keep on going. Although it's too bad that she got hurt, I don't really feel bad for her.

All cell phones are evil I have no sympathy for anyone who is injured while using a phone. They are so wrapped up in their little world that anything could happen and they would be oblivious. If there has to be a law against texters then it would have to be one that outlaws stupidity

if there is no blockage around the manhole then i think it would the work crew's fault if there is some sort of blockage around the manhole then i would say that it is the girl's fault. the girl maybe texting but at least she have to look at her surroundings. maybe she walks pass there frequently that she know the physical layout but she still have to watch out for people around her. i think imposing a law is necessary. in my opinion is to educate people about the danger of texting while walking. take this incident as a lesson for everyone that they still need to be aware of their surroundings as others maybe minding their own businesses. i find it annoying if i cant text as i am walking should i just stand there or find a safe place for me to text? lets think at a wider scale people now a days are always on the go constantly. so imposing such would be necessary when there is really a great need for it... maybe in the very far future ( just my thoughts )