NJ town approves $1000 fine for not taking cover during lightning strikes

[dw_10rosefan]

A New Jersey town has approved a plan to fine residents $1,000 if they don't run for cover within 10 minutes of a lightning warning. The boro council in Cresskill took the action after sports teams were refusing to get off fields and parks during severe weather

Comments

[astridmyrna]

“People feel like 'We've been outside for years and nothing's going to happen,' well, that's not necessarily the case, especially with open fields,” Cresskill parent Renee Rodriguez said.

People don't understand how lightning fucking works, goddamn. /someone who grew up with desert lightning storms

[bestdaywelived]

Frankenweenie is such a great movie - I was pleasantly surprised with how pro-science it was.

[astridmyrna]

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised too! Especially since the original Frankenstein book/movies could be interpreted as anti-science (I say could because it could also be interpreted as anti-not-being-responsible-for-whatever-mess-you-made-jackhat).

That said, I totally want this on a t-shirt:

[little_ribbit]

I would think the liability issues would be similar to earthquake warning alarms. They're there to help, but the natural phenomena they attempt to forecast are inherently unpredictable. It's similar with weather forecasting too, though that's been getting better and better.

[lied_ohne_worte]

I would think the liability issues would be similar to earthquake warning alarms.

Ah, but common sense (or a basic understanding of science) has been rather lost there recently.

[squidger]

Italian law is different from US law. You can't really compare the two.

[rissa_rose]

Born and raised Jersey girl. Never even knew we had a town called Cresskill. o_O

[yeats]

lol, it's literally the town over from me!

[rissa_rose]

I've never been that far into North Jersey. You guys are reallyyyyyyyy up there!

[lied_ohne_worte]

I just hope they tell people where to shelter. Four women were killed on a golf course near the place where I was born last year. They had taken shelter in a wooden hut which they must have assumed was safe, but which didn't have any anti-lightning features. Apparently, it's not the first time golfers or hikers have been killed seeking refuge in such huts, and I'm not sure I wouldn't have instinctively assumed it was safe either.

What's needed is information, not just fining people. Also, I think ten minutes are rather long, and setting such a time gives people a feeling that they have those ten minutes whenever there is a warning. I've seen lightning storms come practically out of nothing and be on top of me in a lot less than that.

[the_physicist]

They should rather educate people better on what to do. A lot of people don't even know to turn off their mobile phones, because they only remember stuff they were told as kids before mobile phones existed. The time limit also seems rather arbitrary.

[valkeakuulas]

I've never heard anything about mobile phones and lightning.

[the_physicist]

Well, doctors in Britain are saying that who treated a girl who was struck by lighting in a London park while on her phone.

[nerwende]

Tbh when there's a thunderstorm my mobile is the only thing that stays ON. After all it could be the only way to get help if things go pear shaped.