Toronto Is In A Heated Debate About Whether Or Not Texting While Walking Should Be Banned

The streets of Toronto can get pretty dangerous, depending where you are, especially if you're a pedestrian downtown. In the silent battle between drivers and pedestrians, there are people who suggest either side are at fault, and even both. This week, Toronto's former Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, has re-ignited the Toronto cellphone ban debate which suggested banning pedestrians from using their cellphones while walking.

In light of the recent ban of cellphones in Ontario classrooms, the discussion of cellphone use and its appropriate times has spread like wildfire on social media.

Now, the question has moved to whether or not pedestrians are at fault for not being aware of their surroundings, or whether the blame should lie with drivers who drive recklessly.

Keesmaat sent out a tweet on Labour Day Monday which stated that Toronto City Council has formally asked Doug Ford's Ontario government to explore the possibility of implementing a ban on pedestrians using their cellphone while walking.

That has since garnered more than 2,000 likes and hundreds of comments, and counting. And there are people coming down hard on both sides of the discussion, it seems.

In contrast, some people believe that blaming pedestrians and banning the use of cellphones isn't the right approach.

Instead, they argue, the focus should be on people who are driving cars irresponsibly and aggressively. After all, as one user put it: "A pedestrian has never run over a car."

This debate goes back a long way.

Back in 2016, city councillors formally asked the province to look into a ban on pedestrians using cellphones.

According to the Toronto Star, this was approved by a vote of 26 to 15, with the support of the city's mayor, John Tory.

The conversation has taken off as news of the City of Toronto's new project comes into effect.

The city's Vision Zero Road Safety Plan includes several initiatives aimed at protecting the safety and wellbeing of all students walking, cycling, or driving back to school, which was announced earlier this week. 

People who use the road are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, be courteous and share the road, stay alert, and obey the rules to ensure everyone's safety.

In practice, banning the use of cellphones could and surely would be difficult to enforce with the sheer number of people who walk to and from work or leisure in the downtown area on a daily basis.

Regardless of whether or not this affects you, make sure to always pay attention when sharing the road.

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