bdp (10/28/82)
From the New York Times, Sunday, 3 Oct 1982, p. 49 Fearful that the spread of portable stereo headphone sets among strollers, joggers, bicyclists, and motorists would increase traffic accidents, the Woodbridge Township Council in New Jersey voted an ordinance in July that it described as the first such in the country: it banned the wearing of headphones in the streets. Anyone could wear headphones on the sidewalks, but not in the streets. The ordinance, which called for a maximum penalty of a $50 fine and 15 days in jail, required the approval of the State Transportation Department. The state agency approved it tentatively on 5 Aug., stipulating that the ordinance be revised to grant four exceptions: to police officers, firefighters, workers operating heavy construction and refuse-collection equipment, and people who must wear protective hearing devices. These exceptions have been granted and the headphone ban will become law this Thursday, says Robert F. Gawroniak, president of the Woodbridge Township Council. It affects seven areas: Iselin, Colonia, Woodbridge, Avenel, Port Reading, Fords, and Hopeland. An objector from out of town has already promised to be the first to break the new law, Mr. Gawroniak says. Bruce Parker BTL Pissthataway
jim (10/28/82)
A similar law has been in effect in Chicago for about a year now.... Jim Morton Genrad Inc. Concord, Mass.
markm (10/28/82)
I know I'll get flamed for this, but what the hell. Those little radios are damn dangerous. Living out in the sticks of Middlesucks county Mass., I've had several near misses while driving with kids mowing the lawn, delivering papers, and so on. The just can't hear the cars coming. They just stroll out into the street, oblivious to the ton or so of Detroit steel thats about to make them a hood orniment. Sure, they should have the common sense to look, but since when does that rule apply. I can imaging how many people get run down in the city for similar reasons. But bans are kind of idiotic (like the catalytic converter). Lets have the cops give fines to idiots with death-wishes and walkmans. If you have the brains to look around you so you don't cause accidents, you'll have no problem. If you're one of the countless who beleive that cars can stop in 10 feet and miss you, you'll probably get a ticket the first time you cause tires to squeel. It's certainly easier to ban the Walkman on public streets altogether, but it probably won't do much. The other alternative is to let nature take it's course. Eventually, the fad will die out; or enough kids will die that the sales will plummet. MSMiller GR Concord, MA
logo (10/29/82)
I believe that California law prohibits the wearing of headphones while operating a motor vehical. There is no restriction on pedestrians or bicyclists. There is also nothing which requires you be able to hear a siren (so it is OK to have your car stereo blasting but not to wear open air headphones and listen at lower volume). Can anyone confirm this as correct for California? How about other states? David (Reisner) uucp : ...!ucbvax!sdcsvax!logo arpanet : sdcsvax!logo@nprdc