Ambu-textrous

Posted - July 28, 2008 - 3:33 p.m.

I am a txt-walker, a txt-driver, and if I could, I would text while sleeping.

Call this phenomenon ambu-texterity: multi-tasking while multi-texting.

This Chicago Tribune story looks at people who text while walking. But if you are one of these txt-walkers, beware.

A bill introduced in January in the Illinois House would ban using wireless devices while crossing a roadway.

"This legislation is not laughable. On the surface it's like, 'Oh wow, what is this?' But it's becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves," said bill sponsor Rep. Ken Dunkin (D- Chicago), according to the Tribune.

This is not the first legislative attempt to restrict texting. I wrote a RedEye story a few weeks ago about a push to specifically ban driving while texting or DWT.

Washington, Minnesota and New Jersey have passed laws that specifically forbid drivers from sending or receiving text messages while driving. Phoenix also enacted a ban against texting while driving last year. A California ban on using hand-held phones while driving that went into effect in July also includes a texting limitation for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Are you ambu-textrous? How would these proposed restrictions affect your life?