Most of us are used to seeing traffic lights above eye level. Whether we are driving, biking, or walking, traffic signals help us know when to stop and when it is safe to proceed.

我們多數人都習慣看和我們眼睛一個高度的紅綠燈。無論是開車、騎行、還是步行，交通信號有助我們了解何時止步、何時又能安全繼續前行。

Crossing signs that flash “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” are placed at intersections to tell pedestrianswhen it is safe to cross a busy intersection on foot and prevent pedestrians from being struck by motorists.

道口的標志閃著“步行”，和“禁止步行”，放置在十字路口告訴行人何時才能安全步行穿過繁忙的十字路口，防止行人被摩托車手撞到。

Pedestrians may become impatient and attempt to cross against the light if they have to wait too long for a WALK sign. In addition, some signals do now allow enough time for pedestrians to cross an intersection safely.

如果行人等“步行”標識太久，則會失去耐心、試圖穿越紅燈。此外，有些信號并沒有給行人足夠時間安全穿過十字路口。

The prevalence of people talking on cells phones is posing a new distraction however. Pedestrians who are talking on the phone or sending text messages are typically staring at their phones rather than looking for traffic signals. They are often too distracted, leading to an increase in pedestrian texting accidents.

然而，糟心的是，邊走路邊打電話已經成為主流。通常，一邊聊電話或發短信的行人都盯著手機看，而不看信號燈。他們太過分心，導致行人發短信引發的車禍數量增加。

The connection between cellphone use and pedestrian accidents is clear.

使用手機和行人遭遇車禍間的聯系顯而易見。

To combat the problem, two cities in Germany are trying an innovative approach: installing traffic lights in the ground.

為了對抗這一問題，德國兩大城市實施創新之舉：在地上安裝信號燈。

The German city of Augsburg installed traffic lights in the sidewalk that face up at pedestrians to create a whole new level of attention.

德國城市奧格斯堡在人行道上直面行人安裝了信號燈，以此引發新一輪關注。

New Jersey lawmakers have even proposed legislation that would ban distracted walking, fining those who use their cellphones while walking $50.

新澤西立法者已經提議立法，禁止步行時分心，對走路時用手機者處以50美元的罰款。

Most of us are used to seeing traffic lights above eye level. Whether we are driving, biking, or walking, traffic signals help us know when to stop and when it is safe to proceed.

我們多數人都習慣看和我們眼睛一個高度的紅綠燈。無論是開車、騎行、還是步行，交通信號有助我們了解何時止步、何時又能安全繼續前行。

Crossing signs that flash “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” are placed at intersections to tell pedestrianswhen it is safe to cross a busy intersection on foot and prevent pedestrians from being struck by motorists.

道口的標志閃著“步行”，和“禁止步行”，放置在十字路口告訴行人何時才能安全步行穿過繁忙的十字路口，防止行人被摩托車手撞到。

Pedestrians may become impatient and attempt to cross against the light if they have to wait too long for a WALK sign. In addition, some signals do now allow enough time for pedestrians to cross an intersection safely.

如果行人等“步行”標識太久，則會失去耐心、試圖穿越紅燈。此外，有些信號并沒有給行人足夠時間安全穿過十字路口。

The prevalence of people talking on cells phones is posing a new distraction however. Pedestrians who are talking on the phone or sending text messages are typically staring at their phones rather than looking for traffic signals. They are often too distracted, leading to an increase in pedestrian texting accidents.

然而，糟心的是，邊走路邊打電話已經成為主流。通常，一邊聊電話或發短信的行人都盯著手機看，而不看信號燈。他們太過分心，導致行人發短信引發的車禍數量增加。

The connection between cellphone use and pedestrian accidents is clear.

使用手機和行人遭遇車禍間的聯系顯而易見。

To combat the problem, two cities in Germany are trying an innovative approach: installing traffic lights in the ground.

為了對抗這一問題，德國兩大城市實施創新之舉：在地上安裝信號燈。

The German city of Augsburg installed traffic lights in the sidewalk that face up at pedestrians to create a whole new level of attention.

德國城市奧格斯堡在人行道上直面行人安裝了信號燈，以此引發新一輪關注。

New Jersey lawmakers have even proposed legislation that would ban distracted walking, fining those who use their cellphones while walking $50.

新澤西立法者已經提議立法，禁止步行時分心，對走路時用手機者處以50美元的罰款。