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Cellphone lane[photo:ivtfy]
A Chinese city has become the first in the world to create a special walking lane for 'zombie pedestrians' hooked to their mobile phones.
Over 100ft of pavement on Chongqing has been marked with special paint to direct people who just can't take their eyes off their screens.
Phone addiction has become a huge problem in China, which has a population of 1.3bn, where dawdling app addicts are holding up those in a hurry behind them.
Now pavement along Foreigner Street has the word 'cellphones' painted on the ground along with arrows that mark out a separate walking lane.
And in the next lane, a 'no cellphones' sign marks out a clear pathway for those who are in a rush.
Officials reportedly designed the unique venture to remind pedestrians "it's best not to play with your phone while walking."
In 2012, Philadelphia Mayor's Office set up a similar scheme as part of an April Fool's Day prank.
Officials sent a press release to all media describing a pilot program for an 'E-Lane' - a designated space for pedestrians who prefer to stroll while on their phones.
Mayor Nutter said: "Stand on any sidewalk in Philadelphia you will see fellow citizens with busy lives who can’t take the time to look up from their iPhones, BlackBerries and other electronic devices.
"The E-Lane is a safe and convenient option for those distracted walkers and should make sidewalks safer for the rest of us.
"More Philadelphians than ever before rely on mobile technology to do business and stay in touch with family and friends. We need to accommodate them.”
However, there was a serious message behind the stunt, as mayor office worker Andrew Stober pointed out, a pedestrian is struck by a car once every four hours in the city.
He said: "Too many of those incidents come from actually distracted driving and drunk driving and drivers not doing what they should do.
“But pedestrians also have a role to play. It’s something that we see all over the city, pedestrians who aren’t paying attention. It’s one of the first things you’re taught growing up. Look both ways when you cross the street."
