New pavement safety designs 'aimed at those looking at their phones'
A trial is underway on the worst street in the South West for pedestrian accidents
Brightly coloured purple and green signs have been put on the Plymouth road with the highest number of pedestrian accidents in the South West.
They’ve been specially designed to stand out on the main shopping street in Mutley - urging pedestrians to look before they cross.
It’s backed by Local councillor Anne Penrose, who said: "if you look at the whole of the South West from Bristol to Penzance, Mutley stands out as a place involving more pedestrians than anywhere else.
"Fortunately there's been no fatalities and we don't want that, so this is prevention."
The new road safety awareness campaign is designed to increase pedestrian safety by drawing drivers’ and pedestrians’ attention to safe crossing sites.
The project has been driven by the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership and Plymouth City Council’s road safety team.
Reverend Nick Lear, the Minister of Mutley Baptist Church who supports the initiative said: "I've seen how difficult it can be to cross the road and whilst I wait for say the Green Man to come on.
“I've seen other people just walking straight across and cars having to slam their brakes on.
"I haven't thankfully seen anyone get hurt but sometimes it’s been a close shave."
Locals in the area have been involved in the design process. Owen Jones ,Creative Director at Upshot Design, said: "One of things is that people are looking down a lot, people are looking at their phones and people are deep in thought and listening to music.
"I think just having something, a bright pop of colour at their feet is definitely a good way to stand out to people."