Itsmy.com unveils street signs to warn of mobile collision

by Staff, Brand Republic 11-Dec-08, 15:00

LONDON - Two thirds of mobile phone users have crashed into somebody while walking on the sidewalk, inspiring social networking site itsmy.com to design special "Caution: Mobile User Crossing" street signs to warn unsuspecting pedestrians.

Itsmy.com has submitted a concept for a new street sign to the European Union in Brussels that calls attention of all road users to mobile internet usage outdoors.

The street signs look like a traditional yield sign, but with an image of a person holding a mobile phone in the middle, and have been trialled in London, New York, Madrid and Munich.

In a spokeswoman for itsmy.com, said: "Although it might be funny to meet some new people like this, itsmy.com realises the danger for health and safety of not only its own community members but of all mobile internet users in the streets."

A December 2008 survey revealed that 64% of respondents admitted to having had a collision with other people, doors and even bicycles while surfing mobile internet and walking along the street.

More serious injuries occur when people continue to use their phones as they cross the street.

Comments

Richard Howell - 12/12/2008

Reading the actual press release itsmy.com seem to have identified a statistical conundrum. Somehow 43% of male and 55% of female respondents in combination comprise 64% of all respondents. You can find out more here: http://www.reviewsreviewed.co.uk/index.php/mobileblog/From-the-Department-of-Dumb-Ideas.html

John Gallen - 12/12/2008

Grrrrrr!! On street, guerilla advertising is fine by me and funny submissions to the EU are fine too. But when I'm told I have to watch out and be wary of idiots, twits and morons with their self obsessed heads stuck so far up their mobiles while walking into street traffic it just irks my other end. As a daily inner city cyclist I have this problem regularly. It's their own fault for getting squished by the oncoming bus. And I well and truly cannot believe these things are being taken seriously at EU level. Sure why not just do away with traffic lights and pedestrian lights and have a free for all... grrrrrrrr again!