Traffic lights on zebra crossings in Suzhou

Li Haowei China Plus Published: 2017-08-04 19:34:05
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Many pedestrians look down at their mobile phones when stopping at a crosswalk to wait on the traffic light, never pausing to look up as they cross the street after the light turns green. Thus, a new type of "underground traffic light" was installed at an intersection in Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu province on Wednesday.

Underground traffic lights in Suzhou, Jiangsu province [Photo: xdkb.net]

Underground traffic lights in Suzhou, Jiangsu province [Photo: xdkb.net]

The policemen in the park have found that about one third of people look at their smartphones when crossing the streets. The proportion among students is even higher.

The lights are very bright although they are buried under the zebra crossings. People can see them from more than 10 meters away. The lights will flash as a warning before the color changes.

Underground traffic lights in Suzhou, Jiangsu province [Photo: xdkb.net]

Underground traffic lights in Suzhou, Jiangsu province [Photo: xdkb.net]

Guo Ang, the squadron leader of the Park's traffic police station, said that the underground traffic lights were first put to use in Jiangsu. In terms of the effect of the first day, fewer pedestrians use mobile phones or break the traffic rules. Guo also mentioned that the lights have a high resistance against pressure, for many cars will pass the area when turning.

Underground traffic lights in Wuhan, Hubei province [Photo: VCG]

Underground traffic lights in Wuhan, Hubei province [Photo: VCG]

In fact, it is not the first time that underground traffic lights have appeared in China. In July, the same lights were installed in Wuhan, Hubei province in order to prevent traffic accidents.

Underground traffic lights in Wuhan, Hubei province [Photo: VCG]

Underground traffic lights in Wuhan, Hubei province [Photo: VCG]

Mr. Wang, a Wuhan citizen, said that before many people would just rush to cross the road because the traffic lights were quite small, but now the new lights are so conspicuous that people would be more likely to obey the rules.

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