NY seeks ban on iPod shuffle

Using your iPod while crossing the road may soon be illegal in New York.

NY State Senator Carl Kruger wants to slap a $100 (£51)
fine on pedestrians using MP3 players, mobile phones or Blackberries
while crossing the road.

Two of his Brooklyn constituents had been killed after
walking into traffic while listening to MP3 players in the last few
months, Mr Kruger said.

In one case bystanders screamed "watch out", Mr Kruger said, but the victim did not hear their warnings.

The Democratic senator, who was set to introduce the law
this week, criticised what he called the scourge of "iPod oblivion" in
the Big Apple.

Clicked off

The senator said forcing pedestrians to face court and
pay the fine would make them realise the "potentially deadly dangers
that lurk outside the 'deceptive serenity' of your iPod".

"When they're tuning into their iPod or Blackberry or
cell phone or video game, they're walking into speeding buses and
moving automobiles," he said. "It's becoming a nationwide problem."