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.

 

浙江温州一位行人周一在过马路的时候看手机，收到该市第一张罚单。
 

 

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 pedestrians¹ 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.

 

Volunteers wearing cartoon costumes send toys to those who abide² 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.

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