World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Asian cities try different ways to prevent phone-related pedestrian accidents
Cities in South Korea, Japan and China have tried different ways to address pedestrians distracted by their phones.
In Seoul, lights embedded in the ground tell people when not to cross, and a sensor can trigger a spoken warning to step back onto the sidewalk.
The city says pedestrian accidents have fallen by 25%, especially at night when the lights are easy to see.
In Yamato, Japan, people may use their phones while walking only if they stop to look at the screen; the city does not fine them.
The share of passersby looking at phones while walking has roughly halved since 2020, from 12%, according to a city safety official.
Chongqing, China, tried separate pedestrian lanes for people using phones and those who were not, but the trial was abandoned after a few months because people did not use the right lanes.
The examples show different approaches to reducing a risk to pedestrians, but no further plans are given.
Seoul uses illuminated pavement signals to warn pedestrians using smartphones, while a radar can trigger a voice message for those who cross despite the warning.
The Seoul lighting costs 16,000 euros, and the city is expanding installations as it seeks to improve pedestrian safety.
Yamato, Japan, prohibits walking while looking at a phone screen but does not impose fines.
Yamato’s municipal safety head says the share of pedestrians looking at phones while walking fell from 12% in 2020 to half that level.
A trial of separate pedestrian lanes for people using phones and those not using them in Chongqing, China, was abandoned after a few months.
- Who
- Cities in South Korea, Japan and China are trying different ways to address phone-related pedestrian accidents.
- What
- Seoul uses illuminated signals and voice warnings; Yamato prohibits walking while looking at a screen; Chongqing abandoned separate pedestrian lanes.
- When
- Seoul’s accident count is reported to be down 25%; Yamato’s phone-use comparison is between 2020 and today, as reported in the article published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul, Yamato in Japan, and Chongqing in China.
- Why
- To improve pedestrian safety and reduce accidents linked to mobile phones.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yamato’s safety official says 12% of pedestrians walked while looking at their phones.
Chongqing’s trial of separate pedestrian lanes was abandoned.
Yamato’s safety official says the share of pedestrians walking while looking at phones is half the 2020 figure.
- Seoul lighting cost
- 16,000 euros
- Seoul accidents
- Down 25%
- Yamato rule
- Walking while looking at a phone screen is prohibited, with no fine.
- Yamato phone use
- 12% in 2020; half that level today, according to a municipal safety official.
- Chongqing trial
- Separate lanes for pedestrians using phones and those not using phones; abandoned after a few months.
What people are saying
C'est à la fois plus pratique et plus sûr
Bien sûr que les gens peuvent utiliser leur téléphone, mais ils doivent s'arrêter
En 2020, 12 % des passants marchent en regardant leur portable, aujourd'hui, c'est deux fois moins
Sources
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