Group demands smartphone ban for pedestrians

Berlin - A German association representing pedestrians has called for a ban on people staring at their smartphones while walking through city traffic, to cut down on accidents.

It was "common knowledge" that smartphones distract users from the traffic dangers around them, argued the Association of Pedestrian Traffic Germany in the latest edition of its magazine.

In Germany "so far there are hardly any proper accident analyses, and the focus is on motorists," it said, pointing however at international studies that suggest a higher accident risk for people glued to their digital companions.

The Berlin-based group proposed fines for pedestrians who use their smartphones near motor traffic, matching existing penalties for drivers, and said it would promote its point with the campaign slogan "head up high while walking".