Philadelphia’s Official Texting Lane In Center City Is An April Fools Joke With A Broader Message

An April Fools Joke That Sends A Message In Center City

April 1, 2012 2:03 PM

(Credit: Mike Dougherty)

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By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – An official texting lane is installed across the street from Philadelphia City Hall, along JFK Boulevard. It’s an April Fools joke meant to send a message.

The lines painted on the sidewalk here are an ironic way to point out the dangers of texting while walking. The joke went right over the heads, or under the feet, of people walking through the lane until it was explained to them.

“I think it’s funny for April Fools. It’s a great idea.”

“If they’re texting, they’re not going to see it.”

Steve was willing to admit what most wouldn’t.

“I walk around and text myself.”

Reporter: “Have you ever walked into traffic or a pole?”

“Yeah, yeah I have.”

Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler says the lines will be there for about a week.

“It’s a very serious campaign for distracted pedestrians, so there will be on going PSAs.”

She says she sees near misses on Philadelphia streets every single day because people aren’t paying attention.

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An April Fools Joke That Sends A Message In Center City

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of course like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to inform the truth however I’ll certainly come again again.
Chrobry

Mr. Mayor & City Council! DHS Social Workers are waiting 4 & 5 years for a fair cost of living increase to save children which they do diligently every day and you spit at the public’s intelligence. Forget the paint. How much did the work cost including the rumble strips at the lane’s edges? Just as much of a waste as the Ridge Avenue in Roxborough sidewalk improvement project of sidewalks that weren’t that bad, or the $60,000 per year raise given to Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. Go fix a bridge, or something because AMERICA IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A JOKE!!!
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I’m not certain where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or working out more. Thanks for great information I used to be looking for this information for my mission.
JC

The City of Philadelphia, already in financial distress, needed to spend money painting lines on the sidewalk to send a message about people texting? Thank you for wasting my taxes.
Fa m b ly Valu es

The MSM reported this as a true story yesterday. A gullible bunch of fools.
Hater

An April Fools Joke That Sends A Message that the mayor’s priorities are messed up.
http://davecalabro.wordpress.com davecalabro

Ridiculous, do we need a test to prove you’re smart enough to text and walk at the same time? I text and while all the time, never crashed into anything, not stupid enough to walk across the street without looking, and still am aware of my surroundings. I’m no super genius but some people just don’t have the brain power for doing 2+ things at once.
Francis Graff

What do they do in City Hall all day?? The real joke is them.