Mayor Michael Nutter even took to Twitter to set the record straight. I guess I should follow him now. But first I have to get on Twitter.

Although I thought it was AWESOME that folks were getting tickets for $120 for the supposed crime, it's just a new urban myth. Philly does have an education campaign to try to convince residents that the practice just isn’t safe for them -- or the public at large. And the most an officer can do to a driver, pedestrian or bike rider (can you text and bike?) is "remind them to be careful," according to Mayor Nutter's office.

Since the new "Give Respect, Get Respect” program began in May, more than 700 distracted drivers, bikers and walkers have been scolded by police officers to correct their game.

I was only slightly aware of the program but now that Philadelphia is getting so much attention because of it, even wrongly, I hope many others think about their fellow city dwellers. I’m not sure how well it’s working but if it makes the city a nicer place to be I’m all for it. Welcome to Philadelphia, City of Brotherly Texters.