A bill proposed this past week by New Jersey state Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt would impose a fine of up to $50 and possibly 15 days in jail for pedestrians caught using their cellphones without hands-free devices while walking on public sidewalks and along roadways.

If the bill becomes law, people who text while walking would face the same penalties as jaywalkers.

“I see it every single day,” Lampitt said. “Maybe they will think twice about it.”

A report released in 2015 by the Governors Highway Safety Association found an increase in pedestrian fatalities, and cited texting while walking as partly to blame.

From 2009 to 2013, pedestrian fatalities increased by 15 percent, to 4,735, the report said. Nearly 2 million pedestrian injuries were related to cellphone use, the report said.

Another study, from Safe Kids Worldwide, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, found that 40 percent of teenagers said they had been hit or nearly hit by a car, bike, or motorcycle while walking.

Researchers say distracted walkers are more likely to ignore traffic lights or not look both ways before crossing the street.

Lampitt’s bill has not been posted for a vote and she acknowledged it might be tough to get it passed.