Trends & Strategies | 18 Mar 2008 :
Brick Lane in London's East End is to become the first street in the UK to have padded lampposts fitted in an effort to stop mobile users injuring themselves when banging into them while texting and walking.
Charity organisation Living Streets said that, if the trial is successful, streets including Charing Cross Road, Old Bond Street and Oxford Street will be fitted with the lampposts.
The padding is sponsored by directory enquiries service 118118, which commissioned a study into injuries suffered while texting. The survey of over 1,000 Britons suggested that one in 10 had suffered an injury as a result of a collision while sending an SMS and walking.
Almost two thirds of those questioned had lost peripheral vision while texting, and over a quarter wanted painted lines on the pavement to create routes for texters to walk safely while using their phones.
The research claimed there were 68,000 SMS-related injuries in the UK last year, ranging from minor bumps to skull fractures. As part of the deal for providing the padding, 118118 will be allowed to advertise on the lampposts.