Readers Response (Draft 2)

According to the article, “Floor lights helps ‘smartphone zombies’ keep eye on the road,” Tan (2017) reported Singaporeans tend to look down on their phones while crossing the road, this post a danger to themselves and the road. Hence, Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched an initiative to counter the issue by installing ground LED lights at pedestrian crossings. LTA said that it picked two high pedestrian volume locations for six months to test for its effectiveness before officially installing in other places. LTA also further stated that it weighs a hefty price tag of $10,000 to $13,000 for each pair of strips at the crossing stands. Other countries also implemented similar ideas to counter against phone addicts.

LTA’s initiative to install the ground light might cause the mobile phone users to be over-reliance of this situation. 

According to an article, " The system, called +Lichylijin, has attracted criticism from the Dutch Traffic Safety Association" Sulleyman A (2017) mentioned that "we don't want people to use phones when they're dealing with traffic, even when walking around. People must always look around them, to check if cars are actually stopping at the red signals.” If the initiative mass install across the country, mobile phone users will soon be dependent on the light and will not check on traffic before crossing the road. In the same article, dutch road safety group VVN mentioned that it encouraged bad human behaviour. For instance, if the vehicle is not able to stop on time and users overlooked the situation and cross, the accident maybe detrimental. 

Alternatively, LTA should work against educating people about the negative consequences of using mobile phones whilst crossing the roads rather than implementing on pricey LED lights along the pedestrian crossings.  In an article, “Educate ‘smartphone zombies’, not accommodate them” Pakri (2017) stated that “there is no need for LTA to accommodate these “smartphone zombies”. It should be instead discouraged such behaviour on the road”.  The author also said “at least deploy officers at pedestrian crossings to caution and educate them”. This idea will work well as the ‘smartphone zombies’ will be stopped and be warn about the danger of it. 

Based on the article, “Road safety campaign takes a VR twist” Chua (2017) reported that road users will get up close with dangerous traffic situations without any risks through the help of Virtual Reality (VR) system. This approach aims the younger generations about the danger of traffic and pedestrian skills. The system requires the users to turn their heads to the left and right like the actual pedestrian crossing setting to look out for vehicles before crossing. This campaign will instil muscles memory to people to watch out for traffic before making the cross. Not only should this campaign target the younger generation, it should also reach out to everyone around the world. Aside from Singapore, other countries are facing the similar issues and they are implementing the LED strips as well. Why not set up campaign to educate all these people from the danger of crossing road with eyes glued to their mobile phones. 

In conclusion, LTA should reassess the need to implement on LED strips on the pedestrian crossings as it is a short-term solution and it will cause people to be over reliance on the lights. Furthermore, the LED strips will also bring negative effects of complacency and harmful learning to the younger generations. Instead of investing on LED strips, the LTA should educate and send messages to people about the consequences of crossing the road blindly. In addition, campaigns can be set up at various crossings with high traffic volume so people like learn more about it.

Poh Shi Lei

28 September 2017

Reference:

Sulleyman, A. (February, 16 2017). The system, called +Lichtlijn, has attracted criticism from the Dutch Traffic Safety Association. Independent. Retrieved from September, 25 2017 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/traffic-lights-pavement-smartphone-users-look-down-dutch-pedestrians-netherlands-a7584081.html

Titcomb, J. (February, 16 2017). Pavement lights installed near Dutch schools to guide smartphone-obsessed pedestrians. The Telegraph. Retrieved from September, 25 2017 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/17/pavement-lights-installed-near-dutch-schools-guide-smartphone/

Pakri, S. (May, 15 2017). Educate 'Smartphone Zombies', not accommodate them. The Straits Times. Retrieved from September, 26 2017 http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/educate-smartphone-zombies-not-accommodate-them

Chua, J. (May, 26 2017). Road Safety Campaign takes a VR twist. The Todaysonline. Retrieved from September, 26 2017 http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/road-safety-campaign-takes-vr-twist