An entire walking lane dedicated to smartphone users on the go (Rex)

A European city has introduced text walking lanes for smartphone users who can't resist the urge to check their phones while on the go.

The painted white lines have appeared on the streets of Antwerp in Belgium for those more intent on staring at their screens than looking at where they’re going.

The initiative was dreamed up by Mlab, a smartphone laboratory based in the city, who say a significant number of smartphone breaks happen because of collisions while people are ‘text walking’.





View photos 'Text Walking Lane' on pedestrian path, Antwerp (Rex) More

A spokesperson for the group said: "Everyone 'textwalks'.

‘You probably walk through the streets while texting or sending Whatsapp messages to your friends and don't really pay attention to your surroundings – only to whatever is happening on your screen.

‘This causes collisions with poles or other pedestrians. You could, unknowingly, even be endangering your own life while you 'textwalk' when you cross the street without looking up.’

Mlab is a concept store where you can go for phone repairs, the newest gadgets or to find answers to questions about your device.

Although the 'text walking lanes', set up in some of Antwerp's busier shopping neighbourhoods, are only temporary, there's always the chance they will catch on.



