A pedestrian was seen walking while texting near the federal health ministry in Berlin, Germany. (Photo : Getty Images/ Adam Berry)
Pedestrians in Augsburg, Germany, were so obsessed with their smartphones that the government decided to fix traffic lights on the ground. The move was made to help pedestrians observe traffic flow without the need to look up from their smartphone.
The traffic lights embedded in the concrete ground are designed to help pedestrians and cyclists, BGR reported. The lights were installed near tram stops that flash red when a cable car is coming. However, some Germans believed that the project was a ridiculous idea, and was just a waste of the taxpayers' money. The Augsburg traffic lights followed the release of the New Jersey measure that bans people who are texting while walking.
"It creates a whole new level of attention," city spokeswoman Stephanie Lermen told the German news station N-TV. She added that extra lamps were fixed on two transitions to protect university students, commuters, and young people.
The traffic lights on the ground was reportedly pushed by the Augsburg government following the death of a 15-year-old pedestrian. Meanwhile, based on a study conducted in Berlin and other European countries, 20 percent of pedestrians were distracted by their smartphones.
The study also revealed that 22 percent of killed pedestrians in the European Union were young people checking their social media accounts. In Germany, the proportion of people, who were killed in traffic accidents within towns and cities is 70 percent.
Augsburg was not the first metro to introduce a safe measure for pedestrians. Utah Valley University, Antwerp in Belgium, and Chongqing City initially designated a painted sidewalk for smartphone users. Hawaii launched a bill that fines $250 for people crossing the street with an electronic device. London, England's capital introduced padded lamp posts for pedestrians.
The Augsburg traffic lights on the ground is just a trial. The city council is still weighing, whether it will help or even eliminate pedestrian accidents. The trial also depends on the Germans' acceptance of the pilot project, despite criticisms from some groups. If accepted by the general public, the traffic lights on the ground will be installed across the country.
Watch the video below about Augsburg traffic lights installed on the ground:
