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The legislature is back in town. Every two years everything I think I know or might know is subject to repeal or amendment.

Nevertheless, in looking over new bills introduced in this session I found Senate Bill 80 (SB 80). This bill would make it illegal for anyone participating in a sporting activity to wear headphones, ear buds, etc in both ears while upon public roadways and side walks. The bill does define "sporting activity" and what devices are banned. Running, jogging, and lots of other things are included.

By this post I assume that users of this forum might have an opinion they wish to express to their representative or senator on this subject.

As an elected official I would have to state that I have friends that are for such a bill and friends who oppose such legislation. I hereby state that I strongly support my friends.!!

If it passes, how much do you see this being enforced? I can't picture Joe Blow Police Officer stopping my run just to cite me for headphones.

You JUST beat me to that very question. Another question is does it apply to races as well? As with any and all laws, its about enforcement. And 99.9% of officers aren't going to stop someone running down the road to give them a ticket for wearing headphones. I understand that this bill is a safety issue and for every 9 of us that do it right, there's 1 idiot that has his so loud the people across the street can hear it.

Hmmmm, who sponsored this bill? I don't wear them,,,and I have mixed ideas about them. I just don't like being in a race and running by someone who can't hear me because they have their music do loud.
But like Jesse said, who would ever enforce it? Maybe some redneck cop who didn't have anything else to do But I imagine it would be like enforcing texting while driving I have yet to see a ticket for that down here,, (thank goodness )

The point probably isn't to hand out citations to athletes. The point is probably to absolve drivers of liability for running over you if you are wearing headphones when they do it.

I believe this is it.

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/ ... ureno=SB80

I'm against them.....have seen 2 close calls....life is more valuable. Think about those wearing them in a race....they'd get a big DQ in the results....lol

Well, hopefully they are legal for the one hour track run cause despite my love for River Dance, I might need a change of venue at least for a while. LOL....I heard there's some new tunes on the way for this year! Woo Hoo!

Running on the River trail with an i pod is fairly safe. I do have to say, the times I've been there on my bike, many of the women with them don't hear you when you let them know you are coming by on the left. As for texting, there have been 15 tickets in the whole state. I think it should be the same as a DUI. Loss of license for a year and 5000$ fine. $50 fine has had no effect on behavior. The idiots making the laws need to wake up. They take away helmits for motorbikes and then inforce seat belt laws. Makes a lot of sense

captkirk wrote:Running on the River trail with an i pod is fairly safe. I do have to say, the times I've been there on my bike, many of the women with them don't hear you when you let them know you are coming by on the left. As for texting, there have been 15 tickets in the whole state. I think it should be the same as a DUI. Loss of license for a year and 5000$ fine. $50 fine has had no effect on behavior. The idiots making the laws need to wake up. They take away helmits for motorbikes and then inforce seat belt laws. Makes a lot of sense

It's still legal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving but would be illegal to wear headphones while exercising?

I don't wear headphones while running but if I did and got stopped by a cop I would just tell them my name is BILLY MILLS - lol!

Let your legislator know what you think about this bill. Contact both your Representative and Senator; if you don't know who they are, look them up here:

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/ ... l&chamber=

I use my Nike+iPod for approximate distance measurement and usually listen to podcasts or music at low levels. I would be very upset if this activity became illegal.

dmeroney wrote:Let your legislator know what you think about this bill. Contact both your Representative and Senator; if you don't know who they are, look them up here:

http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/ ... l&chamber=

I use my Nike+iPod for approximate distance measurement and usually listen to podcasts or music at low levels. I would be very upset if this activity became illegal.

I've already emailed Senator Jeffress of Crossett, the sponsor of the bill as to what the motive for this bill was, what the penalties would be for violating this law, and whether a median between the pedestrian and the road would negate this law. (Example: River Trail between the intersection of Riverfront and Rebsamen Roads and the Big Dam Bridge)

I wonder if he'll respond or it will be a "Thank you for contacting me...." form letter. I'm betting on the latter.

captkirk wrote: The idiots making the laws need to wake up. They take away helmets for motorbikes and then inforce seat belt laws. Makes a lot of sense

I have never understood this one,,of course the motorcycle people always tell that they being lots of revenue into the state and would go to another state if they had to wear helmets
But, SURELY they wouldn't write a ticket for being on the River Trail.
Right after the texting law was passed I pulled up beside a policeman in Ashdown at a stoplight,,,, HE was texting!!

Capt Kirk hit the nail on the head...what he said about passing women with ipods on the left..they don't hear him...well a car is alot bigger and if they are disstracted...well disaster....I think more common sense should be used....but its not....