Simon Beale's Blog

Text-safe lampposts? Are you serious?

Now, I've checked the date. It's March 5th, not April 1st. I know I'm not dreaming (having pinched myself a few times). And I checked the studio for any hidden cameras in fear of an Ant & Dec style wind-up. The fact is, this story must have some truth behind it, which is frightening to say the least. Did you see it??

Brick Lane has been turned into Britain's first "safe text" street, complete with padded lampposts to protect millions of mobile phone users from getting hurt in street accidents while walking and texting. Around one in ten careless Brits has suffered a "walk 'n text" street injury in the past year through collisions with lampposts, bins and other pedestrians. The 6.6 million accidents have caused injuries ranging from mild knocks and embarrassing cuts and bruises through to broken noses, cheekbones and even a fractured skull. Almost two thirds - 62 per cent - of Brits concentrate so hard while texting that they lose their peripheral vision.

Given the apparent dangers, over a quarter of Brits - 27 per cent - are in favour of creating a 'mobile motorway' on Britain's pavements. Texters could follow a brightly coloured line, which would act like a cycle lane, steering them away from obstacles. And 44 per cent of those surveyed wanted pads placed on lampposts to protect them while texting.

Now Brick Lane has been made the country's first “Safe Text” street, with brightly coloured padding, similar to that used on rugby posts, placed on lamp posts to test if it helps protect dozy mobile users. If the trial is successful, the idea could be rolled out to other London blackspots, including Charing Cross Road, Old Bond Street, Oxford Street and Church Street, Stoke Newington.

ARE THEY SERIOUS??! So, in a nutshell, because we feel the need to text whilst walking, they're going to wrap us (and the lampposts) in cotton wool instead of just telling us to maybe watch where we're going. It would be like car manufacturers wrapping all their new vehicles in giant bubble wrap so we can drive with our eyes closed.

And why Brick Lane?? Has there been a particular problem with late-running restaurant goers needing to text their friends to say "Don't order the curry yet, I'll be with you in 5 minutes"? I have tried texting whilst on the move before. But being a man, I struggle to do more than one thing at a time, so find myself just standing still in the middle of the pavement until I've hit the "send" button. Maybe they should just set up little one-person parking bays at the side of the walkway where we can stand 'n' text? Actually, that's nearly as bizzare as wrapping the lampposts with protective padding. Forget I even suggested it.

How about, only text your mates if you're walking around one of those soft play centres (you know, the ones they build for the Under 5s). No?... Switch off your phone when walking?... Sorry, silly me, stupid idea!

Simon
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Posted by Simon Beale on March 05, 2008 at 09:18AM

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