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.

我们多数人都习惯看和我们眼睛一个高度的红绿灯。无论是开车、骑行、还是步行，交通信号有助我们了解何时止步、何时又能安全继续前行。

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

道口的标志闪着“步行”，和“禁止步行”，放置在十字路口告诉行人何时才能安全步行穿过繁忙的十字路口，防止行人被摩托车手撞到。

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”标识太久，则会失去耐心、试图穿越红灯。此外，有些信号并没有给行人足够时间安全穿过十字路口。

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，边走路边打电话已经成为主流。通常，一边聊电话或发短信的行人都盯着手机看，而不看信号灯。他们太过分心，导致行人发短信引发的车祸数量增加。

The connection between cellphone use and pedestrian accidents is clear.

使用手机和行人遭遇车祸间的联系显而易见。

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

为了对抗这一问题，德国两大城市实施创新之举：在地上安装信号灯。

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

德国城市奥格斯堡在人行道上直面行人安装了信号灯，以此引发新一轮关注。

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

新泽西立法者已经提议立法，禁止步行时分心，对走路时用手机者处以50美元的罚款。