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SALT LAKE CITY -- It's official. Pedestrians who seem distracted while walking across UTA train lines may face fines. The new ordinance has already gone into effect.
Officials with UTA say their newly adopted ordinance is designed to be more of an educational tool than a punitive measure.
"Our Board of Trustees at UTA has been very concerned at the recent rash of incidents we've been having," said UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter.
The ordinance is written pretty vaguely, according to Carpenter, but it does have some examples of what could be called distracted pedestrian behavior.
"[Some examples include] texting, talking on the phone, listening to headphones and not paying attention to your surroundings," he said.
This ordinance does not mean that people can't use their cell phones or listen to music while waiting on TRAX platforms or FrontRunner stations. It is specifically intended to make people look to see if trains are coming as they cross the tracks. It would only be enforced by UTA Police on UTA property.
"It would be a Class 3 violation, which would be a $50 fine on a first offense or a $100 fine on subsequent offenses," he said.
But, people can take a safety class for a reduced price, or they could appeal the fine if they think the officer was wrong.
