Although some people say the first selfie occurred in the year 1839, the first modern day selfies that most people are familiar with (read: taken with a smart phone that had a front-facing camera) began in the early 2000s. Since then, the advent of selfie sticks and, dare I mention, selfie shoes, have given those wanting selfies more choices than ever in how their selfie snaps will be done.
In short, you’re in the way.
Tourists stopping, either to-take-a-selfie, or just admire the view, were causing massive bottlenecks on Las Vegas’ 15 pedestrian bridges. In fact, it caused massive crowds during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
William Sousa, a criminal justice professor, said in an interview with The Washington Post that the bridge’s narrow width can make it vulnerable to disorderly conduct, especially the area’s already-high congestion and attractive views of the Strip’s resorts and hotels are factored in.
“You have very few options in terms of maneuvering your way around obstructions and essentially have to negotiate your way through it,” said Sousa.
With much background information to guide them, the Clark County county commissioners, on a unanimous 7-0 vote, passed an ordinance last week that bans pedestrians from stopping, standing or engaging in activities that would cause others to stop on pedestrian bridges.
Offenders would face fines of up to $1,000, or six months in jail.
“When you get right down to it, the unique nature of these bridges and unique nature of this city and the unique nature of Las Vegas Boulevard, when there can be 100,000 people moving up and down the street at the same time and accessing the bridges and moving along as they do, that becomes really important,” Commissioner Jim Gibson said.
“The bridges were designed to convey pedestrians from one side to the other and for no other purpose,” Nevada Resort Association president Virginia Valentine told commissioners, adding that pedestrians seeking to cross the Strip have no choice but to use the bridges. “Please consider this ordinance an ounce of prevention, one that may prevent significant injury should there be a need for rapid evacuation across a bridge or access by first responders.”
The ordinance will create “pedestrian flow zones” on the overpasses and up to 20 feet surrounding connecting stairs or escalators that would make stopping, standing or doing anything to cause another person to stop or stand in the zone a violation. The ordinance includes exceptions for people who have to stop while waiting to use stairs or escalators near the bridges, or people who are, for example, tying their shoes.
To be fair, you can still take selfies in Las Vegas. The county officials even said you can still take pictures along Las Vegas Boulevard while on a pedestrian bridge. But they need to be fast and you’re then encouraged to move along quickly, so as not to impede traffic flow on the bridges.
According to the Washington Post, some local and statewide groups are opposing the ordinance, saying the research that caused the new ordinance was vague. They’re also concerned that enforcement of the new law would encourage unwarranted stops by police. There is also concern about accessibility and equality for those who are disabled and want to use the bridges, because they may need to stop while crossing or take longer to cross because they move slowly.
The ACLU is vowing to sue to block the ordinance, which will go into effect on January 17th.
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