China City Adds Walking Lane For Mobile Phone Users

A cell phone lane for mobile users has been introduced in China for people who are glued to their phones while walking.

Mobile phone usage hazards are extending beyond driving. China has introduced the first smartphone lane in the city of Chongqing designed to keep mobile users on track while using their electronic handhelds and to prevent any accidents. The first mobile phone sidewalk is painted with white arrows to guide the pedestrians as they gaze at their mobile screens, Telegraph reported.

Pedestrians are welcomed with a blue sign at the entrance of the street that reads, "First mobile phone sidewalks in China," with two separate lanes for mobile phone users and non-phone users. The signs are marked in both English and Chinese with a diagram mapping the path. The lane laid out for non-phone users is simply plain without any arrows. The phone-users path also bears a warning, "Walk in this lane at your own risk," to remind users that it is not safe to use a phone while walking.

A recent study showed that texting and walking changes a person's gait and is potentially dangerous. Researchers found that texting while walking increases the chances of accidentally bumping into others or inadvertently walking in the path of a vehicle.

According to the Chinese officials, the markings are a silent reminder to the pedestrians that it is best not to use handheld devices while walking. The concept was copied from a TV series on the National Geographic channel earlier this year. Similar lanes were laid out in Washington, D.C., last month as part of a TV stunt carried out for a show called "Mind Over Masses."

The dedicated lanes were largely ignored by most pedestrians, Yahoo reported. But those who spotted the change took out their phones to take a picture.

New York Times China reporter Chris Buckley tweeted some pictures of the new smartphone lanes and found people mostly walking in the traffic on the road.

Tags

China, Mobile phone, Cell phone