Texting while walking could soon be illegal in New Jersey

Jared Schumacher is among the hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who routinely use electronic devices to text, listen to music or do other tasks as they walk outdoors.

But if a "distracted walking" measure recently proposed by a state assemblywoman eventually becomes law, the Trenton man and others like him could be facing fines or even jail time.

"I admit that I'm usually listening to music, talking on my phone or texting while I'm walking around," the 20-year-old said while responding to a text as he walked along a street in the state capital last weekend. "I've never hurt myself, but I've seen people walk into poles or trip over a big crack in the sidewalk." Read more...