The City of Brotherly Love is getting tougher with pedestrians who don’t pay attention while they’re walking.
Launched in May, a new program known as “Give Respect, Get Respect” is geared to crack down on all sorts of “bad behavior” on and off the road, from cell phone-carrying pedestrians who talk and text while they walk to bicylists who ride on the sidewalk.
As one example cited by CBS Philly.com, one cyclist had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting a man who crossed against the light while yakking it up on his cell phone.
Now the program, which has mostly doled out warnings to roadside offenders, is set to kick into high gear by issuing more tickets to those who violate the rules. Starting in August, more citations will be issued, says Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, according to CBS Philly.
Pedestrians, bikers, and motorists caught under the expanded enforcement will be fined $120. Grant money has been used to fund the program through the summer, but Philly officials are trying to pick up a second grant to extend it for another 40 weeks
© 2011, @BWyche. All rights reserved.
