Pedestrians fined for watching smartphone when crossing street

A pedestrian in the city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, received the city's first ticket for watching their smartphone when crossing a street on Monday.

The first fine given to a pedestrian for watching their smartphone when walking at a zebra crossing in the city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, on January 14, 2019. [Photo: 66wz.com]

A pedestrian is fined ten yuan (1.4 US dollar). Traffic police said looking at smartphones when crossing a street is dangerous and also blocks other pedestrians and cyclers.

As drivers have to wait for pedestrians at a zebra crossing, some pedestrians refuse to stop watching their smartphone and walk slowly, leaving drivers waiting for a long time. The penalty aims to remind pedestrians of their own safety and saving time of drivers who wait for them, said traffic police.

Local authorities launched the policy on January 1 this year, urging pedestrians to the cross street as soon as possible.

A woman watches her smartphone when walking on a zebra crossing in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. [File Photo: VCG]

Volunteers wearing cartoon costumes send toys to those who abide by the rule and cross the street quickly to promote the policy.

Last year, the Baltic country Lithuania had launched a similar policy. Pedestrians will be fined 22.8 to 45.6 US dollars for watching their smartphone when crossing the street.