Texting on the Run
Padded Lampposts Protect London SMSing Pedestrians
How considerate! The charity Living Streets has teamed up with the British directory enquiries service on a pilot scheme of padded lampposts, now underway in a London street to protect inattentive pedestrians, mostly those texting on their phones. Brick Lane was found to have the highest number of 'walking and texting' injuries in the country. Statistics show that one in ten people has hurt themselves while occupied with their mobile phone screen. Later, a poll will be carried out on Brick Lane to gauge the response of locals to the padding mechanism. If the scheme was successful, the concept will be rolled out in Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool.
Trend Themes
1. Texting and Walking - Opportunity for developing innovative safety solutions that address the risks associated with pedestrians distracted by their mobile phone screens.
2. Safety Technology - Potential for introducing new safety technologies and features that can protect pedestrians from accidents caused by distracted walking.
3. Urban Safety Initiatives - Growing demand for urban safety initiatives that prioritize the well-being of pedestrians, paving the way for innovative solutions and collaborations.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Technology - Mobile technology companies can explore the development of apps or features that promote safer pedestrian behavior and minimize distractions.
2. Traffic Safety - Traffic safety companies can leverage the opportunity to create and implement innovative solutions that reduce accidents caused by distracted pedestrians.
3. Charities and Nonprofits - Charities and nonprofits focusing on urban safety can initiate collaborations with technology and safety companies to address the issue of distracted walking.