These days everyone's text messaging - and it seems like they're doing it all the time! And that even means while driving. You may or may not text behind the wheel, but many people do, and it is a widely ignored traffic offence. In fact, there's no law prohibiting you from talking or texting on your phone while behind the wheel.
So the practice continues, and from the perspective of one concerned father it's getting worse. John Brackett - who has children at Holy Redeemer Primary School on North Front Street - said he couldn't take it anymore so he staged a one man protest in front of the school this afternoon. He says he wants a no-phone zone.
John Brackett
"The rules that is necessary in the same manner how they are applying the rules now for bicycle with bell and light I believe that the rules should apply to people using phones in this area."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it only in this zone you want no phone activity or you think that whenever people are driving they should not be texting, talking etc.?"
John Brackett
"Well this is in general but particularly the schools need it; all the schools. I don't know if you would like that, for people to be driving and texting Jules. But for me I think about the safety of the people."
Jules Vasquez
"Now texting and talking are two different things."
John Brackett
"It's the same to me Jules because [Jules Vasquez - At least when you are talking you can keep you can keep your eyes open] Your eyes van be open but your mind can be distracted. I am not really happy about what I see today. I was here this morning and then I went and I came back again around 12 o' clock and when I came back there was several people using phone even though I was there jumping up. I have asked them to kindly refrain from using your telephone? There was no response from them - some of them were very mean but this is just the beginning of this Jules. This has a long way to go."
Brackett says he's asking the City Council to come forward and regulate the practice before someone gets hurt…
