Walking while looking at a smartphone leads to a ‘thud’... The ‘Seumombi’ generation still prevalent

About 15% of pedestrians use smart devices while crossing crosswalks
Some local governments install LED floor-type pedestrian signals
Samsung Electronics mandates 'No smartphone use while walking' at some workplaces

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Recently, the number of ‘Smombie’ people remains high, and pedestrian accidents have not decreased. People walking on the streets while looking at their smartphones sometimes collide with others, get into traffic accidents, or suffer foot entrapment accidents while boarding the subway.

'Smombie' is a newly coined term combining 'smartphone' and 'zombie,' referring to people who walk while being absorbed only in their smartphones without paying attention to their surroundings. According to data released by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority in 2020, about 15% of pedestrians were using smart devices while crossing crosswalks. Additionally, pedestrian traffic accidents involving smartphone use in South Korea increased from 119 cases in 2014 to 225 cases in 2019, roughly doubling.

The subway is no exception. While walking and looking at smartphones, feet sometimes get caught in the approximately 15cm gap between the train and the platform. According to the Seoul Metro’s investigation of foot entrapment accidents from 2020 to September 2022, there were 136 platform foot entrapment accidents in the past three years. Among these, people in their 20s accounted for 32%, and those in their 30s accounted for 26%, making up more than half.

To ensure the safety of Smombies and pedestrians, local governments are installing floor traffic lights. Nowon-gu in Seoul plans to increase the number of crosswalk floor traffic lights to 128 locations this year for pedestrian safety. In addition, audio guidance devices for pedestrian signals will also be installed. Wonju City has pilot-installed LED floor-type pedestrian traffic lights at two locations, including the intersection near Wonju Medical Center and the Chiak Arts Center intersection. Pyeongchang County also installed LED traffic lights on the crosswalk floors at the intersection next to Jinbu Terminal in Jinbu-myeon.

LED floor-type pedestrian traffic lights are auxiliary devices that install LED lamps on the crosswalk signal waiting line to prevent pedestrian accidents caused by insufficient forward attention. This project aims to secure the safety of pedestrians walking while looking at smartphones and to create a pedestrian-centered traffic environment. Naju City also installed a 'smart crosswalk' in Bitgaram Innovation City, allowing not only pedestrians but also drivers to check pedestrian signals during nighttime.

Some European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany have also installed 'floor traffic lights' to attract the attention of Smombies. Sichuan Province in China created a 'phone-only road,' and Honolulu in the United States enacted a measure to impose fines ranging from $15 to $130 on those caught walking while looking at their smartphones.

Meanwhile, companies are also putting brakes on Smombies within their workplaces. Samsung Electronics has mandated a 'no smartphone use while walking' policy in divisions responsible for home appliances and mobile phones. Samsung Electronics stated that the policy aims to ensure safety and respect for others while moving around the company premises, and that if caught, department heads will be notified and educational measures will be taken.