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Daily Talker: Stiffer Penalties For Jaywalking

It's a dangerous habit that we've probably all done before. We're talking about jaywalking.

Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler is proposing stiffer penalties for violators. The current law dates back to 1962. If you're caught jaywalking in Boston, it's a $1 fine. But Boston Police told the Globe, citations are not issued or tracked. Chandler's bill would increase the jaywalking fine to $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for subsequent offenses in a year. She also hopes police departments will post officers to enforce pedestrian rules.

The Worcester Democrat says penalizing a bad habit is the best way to prevent it. She was motivated to make this proposal after several pedestrian deaths in her city.

What do you think of her proposal? Will stiffer penalties prevent jaywalking? Could this keep pedestrians safe?

Leave your comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter using #WBZTalker.

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