A PEDESTRIAN rights group says a new police campaign warning road users of the dangers of MP3 players doesn't go far enough, and that listening to portable devices while driving should be made a criminal offence.

NSW Police began a campaign yesterday aimed at pedestrian and motorists, warning of an increased risk of accidents while listening to music through headphones.

While police do not keep statistics on the number of accidents involving portable players, they say anecdotal evidence suggests it is on the increase.

"The public needs to be aware of the impact of these new technologies and the distractions they create, for both pedestrians and motorists alike," the traffic services commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, said.

The ads show people lying on the road with their iPod cord forming a white outline around their body. But the chief executive of the Pedestrian Council, Harold Scruby, wants to see the devices banned for drivers and the manufacturers to place warnings on their packaging.

He says the "block-out effect" of headphones compounds the risk posed by listening to music in cars. "If you take out the audial sense, you remove one of the most important aspects of road safety," Mr Scruby said.

"You wouldn't hear an ambulance or police car, let alone someone tooting you."

There is no plan to legislate against listening to headphones while driving, but motorists could be charged with not being in proper control.