Honolulu plans fines for looking at a mobile phone while crossing the road

 

            Pedestrians who look at their mobile phones while crossing the road in Honolulu face fines of up to $99 (£76). The measure to tackle the problems of "distracted walking" will come into force in October. It will apply to the island of Oahu, which is home to 80 per cent of the state's population.

            Most states in the USA ban texting while driving. Honolulu - which has a population of around a million - will be the first to penalise pedestrians who cross the road while staring at their smartphones.First-time offenders will be hit with a $15 fine, but serial offenders will face far stiffer penalties rising to $99.

            Pedestrians will still be allowed to make and receive calls, because it is assumed that they are looking where they are going at the same time.

            Although Hawaii is breaking new ground, there is growing concern at the potential dangers of distracted walking.

            As far back as 2013, a study appeared in the Journal of Safety Research called "Ambulatory cellphone injuries in the United States: An emerging national concern”. It noted a rising number of distracted pedestrians being injured, with 1,500 being taken to Accident and Emergency in 2012.

            The threat was highlighted at a conference held by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year. "I sponsored this after it was brought to my attention by local high school safety clubs," Brandon Elefante, a member of Honolulu City Council, told the Telegraph. "I felt this was a way in which we could address this growing problem of people who don't pay attention while crossing the street.

            "There has been some resistance from those who think this is government overreach and whether it is enforceable, but we have been working with the police to ensure it is enforceable. In the end, you can't put a price on somebody's life, this is a matter of public safety."

 

Question 1: (2 points). Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer. No points will be given if the evidence is not correct.

      a)    Any citizen in Hawaii will be fined due to this measure.

b)    People in almost any state in the USA may be fined if texting while crossing the road.

c)     Hawaii is the first to enforce a measure like this.

d)    Some people think the authorities are going beyond their duties.

Question2: (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

 a)    Why will pedestrians only be fined when texting?

 b)    Why did the City Council start this programme?

Question 3: (1,5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5 points.

a) become applicable (par.1)

b) to prohibit(par.2)

c) preoccupation (par.5)

d) to draw attention to (par.6)

e) to exceed (par.7)

f) compulsory (par.7)

 

Question 4: (1,5 points) Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet.

 People will be fined more money...

a) unless they use their phones less.

b) as long as they are caught only once.

c) regardless the number of times they are caught.

d) if they use their phones repeatedly.

Texting while crossing the road is believed...

a) to be causing many accidents.

b) to be caused many accidents.

c) that will cause many accidents.

d) to will cause many accidents.

The authorities felt they had to take action...

a) due to they thought it was a growing problem.

b) since they thought it was a growing problem.

c) as a result they thought it was a growing problem.

d) consequently, they thought it was a growing problem.

 

PART 2

 

(3 points) Written production

Write a short essay (120 – 150 words) on the following topic. Essays up to 200 words will not be penalized.

There should be limits to the overuse of mobile phones in public places. Do you agree?

 

  

KEY

 

Question 1

a)  FALSE “It will apply to the island of Oahu, which is home to 80 per cent of the state's population.”

b)  FALSE “ Most states in the USA ban texting while driving.” “ Honolulu will be the first to penalise pedestrians who cross the road while staring at their smartphones.”

c)   TRUE “ Hawaii is breaking new ground”

d)  TRUE “ There has been some resistance from those who think this is government overreach.”

 Question 2

a)   Pedestrians will only be fined if they use their phones to text as the authorities consider that you can pay attention to what is happening around you when you make or receive calls.

b)  They started the programme since they noticed the number of people who were at risk in the street was growing. These people use their phones when they cross the roads, putting their lives in danger, and this is a problem that authorities felt they had to tackle.

 Question 3

a)    come into force

b)    Ban

c)     Concern

d)    Highlight(ed)

e)    Overreach

f)      enforcable

Question 4

a)    1.D

b)    2.A

c)     3.B