Tourists can be fined millions of dong if they text while walking.

PoliceThe city of Honolulu in Hawaii, USA is planning to fine tourists who are caught texting while walking. With this move, local authorities hope to reduce traffic accidents.

The obsession with smartphones is distracting road users to the point that local authorities have decided to introduce fines to force people to pay attention when crossing the street.

Tourists will be fined if they text while walking.

The new law allows police to fine first-time offenders $35, $75 for second-time offenders, and $99 for subsequent violations. This is one of the local government's efforts to reduce traffic accidents.

The bill is known to have taken effect since October 25. However, if pedestrians use their phones in an emergency, they will not be fined. In addition to smartphones, some other electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, video games, and digital devices are also on the list.

The bill clearly states that talking on the phone while walking is still allowed, but only in case of emergency. Crossing the street while texting, reading messages or checking social networks like Facebook will be on the list of penalties.

“This is a real policy turning point in terms of creating safety for residents and visitors,” City Council member Brandon Elefante told the New York Times. Meanwhile, City Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the government was forced to take strong action due to a “lack of public awareness.”

In 2016, New Jersey proposed a $50 fine or 50 days in jail for people who walk and use their phones. But Honolulu appears to be the first city in the world to adopt a law that would protect citizens from danger.

Other cities around the world are also trying to change the behavior of road users. For example, the entrance to Brick Lane in London was equipped with a lighting system in 2008 to help pedestrians text while walking. Last year, Augsburg, Germany, installed a red light system for smartphone addicts.

A study conducted by the University of Alabama in 2011 showed that texting while walking is life-threatening because the driver is not aware of his or her surroundings and has a reduced ability to focus on other vehicles.

According to Dantri