I do mobile chat and walk and can also chew gum at the same time...

USA Today May 19 2019

Cited

Watch out! New York may ban texting while walking across the street Joseph Spector, Albany Bureau

Cited

ALBANY, N.Y. – You probably shouldn't walk across a street and look at your phone at the same time. Now New York might make it illegal. 

A bill sponsored by Democrats who control the state Legislature would allow police to issue a ticket between $25 to $50 for a first offense of getting caught texting while walking — unless you can prove it was an emergency.

Cited

"Not only can trips and falls occur, but even getting hit is more than just a possibility."
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I suppose a libertarian objection in regard to this type of law, or possible type of law, is that such a law too strongly 'babies' a citizen that should take responsibility for his/her own actions.

On the other side, as my Dad mentioned today, too many people wander around downtown, not paying attention while texting. Sometimes stopping to text while in the middle of the road.

When walking, I pull over to text...(or email)

I do mobile chat (not text or email) and walk and can also chew gum at the same time...(No near accidents)

Is texting while walking a serious public problem???