SPAIN’s traffic authority, DGT, has issued a warning about the dangers of ‘zombie pedestrians’ – people distracted by their phones while crossing the road.
According to DGT data, one in three pedestrians cross streets while using their phones, significantly increasing the risk of being hit by a vehicle.
Scrolling while walking is also cited as a leading cause of pedestrian fatalities in urban areas.
In response, the agency has launched a nationwide awareness campaign under the slogan ‘You don’t want to miss anything, and you end up missing everything’.
The campaign coincides with the Semana Santa holiday, a peak period for road traffic, and is being promoted across television, social media, and radio to reduce accidents caused by distracted pedestrians.
The campaign video shows a young man stepping onto onto a busy road while looking at his phone.
Around him, surreal scenes play out – including a celebrity being chased by paparazzi – but he remains oblivious to the traffic around him.
His distraction ultimately proves fatal when he is struck by an oncoming car.
Through the new campaign, DGT aims to reduce accidents involving so-called ‘zombie pedestrians’ and encourage Spaniards to stay alert as streets become busier during Semana Santa.
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