In China, they now have designated sidewalks for people on their phones

China has over half a billion smartphone users. It’s then almost no surprise then that in the City of Chongqing, a new sidewalk has been unveiled exclusively meant for people walking around, looking down at their glowing screens.

China’s People Daily popularised the news when it tweeted that it’s an “exclusive sidewalk for mobile phone users to avoid possible crashes.” –essentially, the lanes are designated areas for slow-moving, distracted people on-foot.

Chongqing City has set up China's 1st "exclusive sidewalk for mobile phone users ” to avoid possible crashes on Fri pic.twitter.com/jFiCbbE1yk

— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) September 13, 2014

Ever since its invention, mobile phone-related accidents is a common hazard among drivers. Though only in the last few years have people been asked for their full attention: sight, sound and swiping. Apart from putting one foot in front of the other, we all know that Candy Crush, Netflix or Whatsapp require one’s full-attention.

Earlier this year in Washington DC, National Geographic did a study where they had similar designated sidewalks for hypnotised pedestrians next to a neutral zone. Interestingly, many people were too distracted by their devices to even notice there are designated areas for them.

Image via Newslocker