As two new scramble pedestrian crossing come online in the heart of Brisbane, there is a push to give police and council officers power to slap distracted pedestrians crossing roads with a $200 fine.

The new crossings, allowing people to walk diagonally across an intersection, were announced in September and introduced on Wednesday at the intersections of Albert and Charlotte streets, as well as Albert and Mary streets.

It comes as the Pedestrian Council of Australia calls for pedestrians who cross the road while looking at their phone or while using their headphones to be slapped with a fine to reduce the number and severity of car vs. pedestrian incidents.

PCA chairman Harold Scruby praised Brisbane City Council's new scramble crossings because they reduced the wait time for pedestrians, minimised the time they spend in harm's way and therefore lower the chance of serious injury.