[JK1]

The use by many people of isolating headphones or isolating earphones when it is unsafe to do so is an important issue. If this continues, laws will be passed restricting headphone(and earphone) use by pedestrians. I don't want to lose the right to walk around(through traffic, etc) while listening to music. Those who do it irresponsibly though may cause problems for the rest of us.

When I am walking around outdoors, I use earphones with ear hooks which don't isolate, and keep the volume low.

Part of the blame for unsafe closed headphone and earphone use though should be placed on headphone makers, who over the past several years have discontinued most or all of the open headphones they made, and who don't put conspicuous warnings on their closed headphone and earphone packages to only use these when it is safe not to hear the surroundings. Perhaps laws should be made to require such warnings on the packages of isolating headphones and earphones. While the manufacturers might rebel against this, having such warnings might result in people buying two headphone or earphone models, one with isolation, and one without isolation.

http://handsfreeinfo.com/distracted-walking-pedestrians-law/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/us/26runners.html?_r=1

https://www.rt.com/news/206223-israel-ban-headphones-crosswalks/

 

[JK1]

No comments?

 

[Parall3l]

I see absolutely no practical way of enforcing such regulations without excessive police presence and a truckload of taxpayer money. So I doubt it will matter even if somehow it was passed around here. Might be a good way to increase government funding though. But most of the awareness such a regulation create alone should be enough to deter people from wearing isolating headphones, since it is first and foremost within their interests to not get run over by a truck.

Personally I wouldn't blame the headphone makers for the lack of choices, since they are firms trying to make money, and there can't be too much demand for on-ear open backs intended to be worn outside, and earpods have the non-isolating in-ear market cornered. And since non-isolating earphones simply can't sound too good outside where the cars are, buy anything more expensive than earpods basically means you are likely beyond the point of diminishing returns.

 

[JK1]

I see absolutely no practical way of enforcing such regulations without excessive police presence and a truckload of taxpayer money. So I doubt it will matter even if somehow it was passed around here. Might be a good way to increase government funding though. But most of the awareness such a regulation create alone should be enough to deter people from wearing isolating headphones, since it is first and foremost within their interests to not get run over by a truck.

Personally I wouldn't blame the headphone makers for the lack of choices, since they are firms trying to make money, and there can't be too much demand for on-ear open backs intended to be worn outside, and earpods have the non-isolating in-ear market cornered. And since non-isolating earphones simply can't sound too good outside where the cars are, buy anything more expensive than earpods basically means you are likely beyond the point of diminishing returns.

The proposed bill for NY had $100 fines, so it would  raise money rather than cost money to enforce.

 

[JK1]

No more comments?

 

[goodyfresh]

This is stupid.  The rest of us shouldn't have to be punished for the mistakes of a few idiots who deserve to win Darwin Awards, ahahahaha.

Also, as others have said, how the hell would they even actually enforce these laws?  They aren't going to, because nobody really cares enough.

 

[JK1]

More articles.
 
http://panampost.com/rebeca-morla/2014/12/22/headphone-users-the-next-outlaws-on-chiles-streets/
 
http://bicyclecoalition.org/latest-hit-and-run-death-is-a-study-in-victim-blaming/#sthash.tUhLhqEF.bCpWRZwZ.dpbs

 

[auradud3]

  This is stupid.  The rest of us shouldn't have to be punished for the mistakes of a few idiots who deserve to win Darwin Awards, ahahahaha.

Also, as others have said, how the hell would they even actually enforce these laws?  They aren't going to, because nobody really cares enough.

i remember they used to say this about seat belt laws

 

[goodyfresh]

  i remember they used to say this about seat belt laws

This is different though because it's EVEN DUMBER.  Lol.

Also, if there ever comes a day when some cop tries to fine me for listening to IEM's or headphones in public, I will fight taht **** all the way to the highest court in the land, seriously.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

Darwin was right.

 

[JK1]

"Kruger cited the December 2010 accident in which a 21-year-old man listening to music blaring through his headphones on a Manhattan street corner was crushed by a truck after he failed to hear the vehicle’s backup signal. "
 
http://handsfreeinfo.com/distracted-walking-pedestrians-law/
 

Injuries to Headphone-Wearing Pedestrians Struck by Cars and Trains More Than Triple Since 2004

http://umm.edu/news-and-events/news-releases/2012/injuries-to-headphone-wearing-pedestrians-struck-by-cars-and-trains-more-than-triple-since-2004
 
 
"The number of headphone-wearing pedestrians seriously injured or killed near roadways and railways has tripled in six years, according to a U.S. study."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-01-16/deaths-of-headphone-wearing-pedestrians-increase-study-finds
 
 
"Mortal Headphones"
http://www.livescience.com/17995-accidents-pedestrians-headphones-infographic.html
 
 
 
"[size=24.5699996948242px]The Hazards of Using Headphones While You Walk[/size]
A study suggests that headphone-related pedestrian injuries — and even deaths — are on the rise."

http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/20/the-hazards-of-using-headphones-while-you-walk/

 

"Headphones And Pedestrians – A Risk To Consider?"

http://www.pedsforparents.com/general/102689/headphones-and-pedestrians-a-risk-to-consider/

 

"Pedestrians Killed While Wearing Headphones are Car Magnets Who Deserve What They Get, New Study Confirms"

http://www.treehugger.com/health/new-study-confirms-pedestrians-wearing-headphones-are-killer-car-magnets-who-deserve-what-they-get.html

 

"Headphones Can Kill You!"

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphones-can-kill-you#0UmipGj5JPEWCKuG.97

 

 ​

 

 

 

 

 

 

[goodyfresh]

  "Kruger cited the December 2010 accident in which a 21-year-old man listening to music blaring through his headphones on a Manhattan street corner was crushed by a truck after he failed to hear the vehicle’s backup signal. "
 
http://handsfreeinfo.com/distracted-walking-pedestrians-law/
 

Injuries to Headphone-Wearing Pedestrians Struck by Cars and Trains More Than Triple Since 2004

http://umm.edu/news-and-events/news-releases/2012/injuries-to-headphone-wearing-pedestrians-struck-by-cars-and-trains-more-than-triple-since-2004
 
 
"The number of headphone-wearing pedestrians seriously injured or killed near roadways and railways has tripled in six years, according to a U.S. study."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-01-16/deaths-of-headphone-wearing-pedestrians-increase-study-finds
 
 
"Mortal Headphones"
http://www.livescience.com/17995-accidents-pedestrians-headphones-infographic.html
 
 
 
"[size=24.5699996948242px]The Hazards of Using Headphones While You Walk[/size]
A study suggests that headphone-related pedestrian injuries — and even deaths — are on the rise."

http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/20/the-hazards-of-using-headphones-while-you-walk/

 

"Headphones And Pedestrians – A Risk To Consider?"

http://www.pedsforparents.com/general/102689/headphones-and-pedestrians-a-risk-to-consider/

 

"Pedestrians Killed While Wearing Headphones are Car Magnets Who Deserve What They Get, New Study Confirms"

http://www.treehugger.com/health/new-study-confirms-pedestrians-wearing-headphones-are-killer-car-magnets-who-deserve-what-they-get.html

 

"Headphones Can Kill You!"

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphones-can-kill-you#0UmipGj5JPEWCKuG.97

 

 ​

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, it's just victim-blaming!
 
Also. . .I use my EYES when crossing the street far more than my EARS, folks.

 

[Takeanidea]

If the problem was down to the heeadphone industry why isn't it that more deaf people are not killed on the streets? And what as a proportion of people using IEMs is subject to being involved in car accidents Of those I wonder how many were due to not paying enough attention rather than not hearing what is around them? And how many of theese accidents were at least partly attributable to the fact that too many people drive too fast and too aggrssively in heavily built up areas due to frustration and tiredness?

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Headphones exist to replace the noise in your ears. Isolating headphones exist to isolate you from outside noises. If you're irresponsible about it then that's on you, pal. Using the product as intended has no ill consequences.