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Australia To Fight iPod Use By Pedestrians

Kilrah_il writes "In recent years the number of people killed on roads in New South Wales, Australia has dropped, but strangely enough, the number of pedestrians killed has risen. Some think it's because of the use of iPods and other music players making people not attentive to road dangers (the so-called 'iPod Zombie Trance'). Based on this (unproven) assumption, the Pedestrian Council has started a campaign in an effort to educate the people, but apparently it isn't enough. Now, some are pushing for the government to enact laws to help eradicate the problem. 'The government is quite happy to legislate that people can lose two demerit points for having music up too loud in their cars, but is apparently unconcerned that listening devices now appear to have become lethal pieces of entertainment,' [Harold Scruby of the Pedestrian Council of Australia] said. 'They should legislate appropriate penalties for people acting so carelessly towards their own welfare and that of others. ... Manufacturers should be made to [warn] consumers of the risks they run.'"

3 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. Lefties by WoollyMittens · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    It would help if they didn't drive on the wrong side of the road here... (recent immigrant)

  2. DEMERITS?!? by KingFrog · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Just to make sure I read this correctly...in Australia, the government gives people DEMERITS? What is this, summer camp? Boot camp? What foolishness.

  3. Re:What the.... by thetoadwarrior · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Why is yours modded interesting when all you did was make it obvious that you don't understand when something is a joke?