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    Honolulu is the first big US city to ban phone use at crosswalks

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    07.30.2017

    Cities have tried innumerable measures to keep pedestrians' eyes off their phones when they cross the street, and there have even been some state-level attempts at legislation to force a change in behavior. Honolulu, however, has officially drawn that line in the sand -- it's the first major US city to pass a law that fines you for crossing the street while using your phone. As of October 25th, the Hawaiian burg can ask you to pay between $15 to $99 if you're caught looking at a mobile device while you're strutting the crosswalk. How much you pay depends on whether or not you're a repeat offender. There is an exemption if you're calling emergency services, though, so don't feel guilty about dialing 911 while you rush to the scene of a crash.