AA IRELAND IS warning pedestrians to be vigilant of falling under the spell of what they have dubbed a “zombie trance”.

The organisation said that pedestrian inattention is becoming a more common factor in insurance claims.

They said this is down to the ‘smart phone oblivion’ that walkers are slipping into.

They have also warned pedestrians to be wary of other reckless behaviour.

“Ireland actually has a ‘jay-walking’ law, even if hardly anyone knows it is there and enforcement is unheard of,” consumer affairs director Conor Faughnan said.

In reality anyone who has ever been a pedestrian in an Irish town will tell you that the rules are completely ignored.

“Tourists often think we are insane and they may be right as our behaviour crossing road is dangerous.”

Under the Road Traffic Act, where a road has a pedestrian crossing, “a pedestrian shall not cross the roadway within 15 metres of the crossing, except by the crossing”.

Fines for jaywalking range from the equivalent of €4 in Moscow to €200 in Malaga.

The majority of respondents in a poll on AA Ireland’s website were in favour of on-the-spot fines for those who behave in a reckless manner when crossing the road.

What do you think? Should there be on-the-spot fines for pedestrians who cross the road in a reckless manner?

Read: Almost 72% of Irish motorists believe garda presence on roads has reduced >

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