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Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

japantimes.co.jp

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Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#51

Post by Wowfunhappy »

jrockway wrote: post #39

My dream is that one day, everyone will see the imaginary lines down the sidewalk that I do. Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into. Sadly, these lines are imaginary and while people tend to keep right, don't take it very seriously. A deeper issue is how much of the space between buildings is dedicated to private vehicles. When the sidewalk is 6 feet wide an…

> Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into.

Do you have different lanes for people who walk at different speeds? Is there one for runners? Am I still allowed to stop and take in the sights?

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#53

Post by benrbray »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #51
jrockway wrote: post #39

My dream is that one day, everyone will see the imaginary lines down the sidewalk that I do. Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into. Sadly, these lines are imaginary and while people tend to keep right, don't take it very seriously. A deeper issue is how much of the space between buildings is dedicated to private vehicles. When the sidewalk is 6 feet wide an…

> Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into. Do you have different lanes for people who walk at different speeds? Is there one for runners? Am I still allowed to stop and take in the sights?

> Do you have different lanes for people who walk at different speeds?

Just like when driving, if there is enough space, different lanes should form to accommodate different walking speeds. If the sidewalk is too narrow, it's okay to pass, but don't interfere with the other direction of traffic, and don't prevent others from passing you.

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#54

Post by jaclaz »

bartread wrote: post #10

In general I find people using their phones whilst walking to be a nuisance, but I'm still not particularly in favour of this. There are at least two legitimate use cases that don't cause too many problems: 1. Using your phone as an actual phone (i.e., an audio only conversation with the thing held to your ear, or with a headset). 2. Using it as a navigational aid. If I'm not too sure where I'm going I'll often use e…

>1. Using your phone as an actual phone (i.e., an audio only conversation with the thing held to your ear, or with a headset).

As a side note, the thing held to one's ear has become an issue, it is not the first time, lately, that I see people absentmindedly getting off the sidewalk to cross the road (of course not on zebra crossings or with a green light at an intersection) while holding a (large) phone to their ear thus covering with the phone and/or their hand the side from which the traffic comes, i.e. zeroing the possibility to see an incoming vehicle.

Beside the distraction caused by the conversation, it is dangerous as they have their peripheral view completely blocked.

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#55

Post by bamboozled »

catalogia wrote: post #46
jrockway wrote: post #39

My dream is that one day, everyone will see the imaginary lines down the sidewalk that I do. Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into. Sadly, these lines are imaginary and while people tend to keep right, don't take it very seriously. A deeper issue is how much of the space between buildings is dedicated to private vehicles. When the sidewalk is 6 feet wide an…

I believe in Japan, people walk on the left side.

Many people in Japan don't drive so they don't really think about "sides" like people who come from car cultures do.

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#56

Post by bamboozled »

grawprog wrote: post #48

I find the best thing to do when someone's walking towards you, texting, totally oblivious to your coming towards them, is to play chicken with them. Just keep walking, see how close you can get to them before they notice you. It gets pretty close sometimes, almost had a couple collisions, but so far everyone's looked up in the knick of time, gotten embarrassed and quickly veered away. Gets that adrenaline flowing th…

A bit passive aggressive ?

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#57

Post by acd »

Could we please do it in Sweden too. Sweden are too distracted in traffic for their own good, its like mobile phone zombies sometime, people staring at a piece of glass. This includes myself sometime.

Also cell phones should be banned in traffic because it causes distractions. Attention in traffic is very important.

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#58

Post by vlod »

jrockway wrote: post #39

My dream is that one day, everyone will see the imaginary lines down the sidewalk that I do. Keep to the right, just like you're driving, and even someone texting while walking won't run into. Sadly, these lines are imaginary and while people tend to keep right, don't take it very seriously. A deeper issue is how much of the space between buildings is dedicated to private vehicles. When the sidewalk is 6 feet wide an…

>Keep to the right,

Do you then switch to the left when walking in the UK? :)

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#59

Post by jesseb »

acd wrote: post #57

Could we please do it in Sweden too. Sweden are too distracted in traffic for their own good, its like mobile phone zombies sometime, people staring at a piece of glass. This includes myself sometime. Also cell phones should be banned in traffic because it causes distractions. Attention in traffic is very important.

In my province in Canada there are hefty fines[1] for distracted driving, and yet I still constantly see people texting and driving. It's very frustrating, and as somebody who walks/transits whenever possible terrifying at times. I don't know how to get through to people.

[1] https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-an...

Re: Yamato becomes Japan's first city to 'ban' use of phones while walking

#60

Post by FemmeAndroid »

bamboozled wrote: post #55
catalogia wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe in Japan, people walk on the left side.

Many people in Japan don't drive so they don't really think about "sides" like people who come from car cultures do.

Interesting! That’s a bit surprising to me. In Japan they have the yellow tiles with bumps near the center of most city sidewalks that I always assumed was a kind of lane system. If it’s not to create lanes, what are those tiles for?
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