Friday Funny: The Solution for Distracted Walking

New York City's DOT recently launched a pilot program to make city streets safer for those texting while walking. Well not really. But for some trusting New Yorkers, “Seeing Eye People” is a service worth utilizing.

1 minute read

May 17, 2013, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Seeing Eye People 2

Joseph Lin / Improv Everywhere

"New York City-based prank collective Improv Everywhere recently pulled off a stunt where they posed as city workers providing a solution to the texting and walking epidemic in the city," writes Emma Hutchings. "Half of their team of sixty put on orange vests and became 'Seeing Eye People' who claimed to be part of a Department of Transportation pilot program."

"The other half walked along texting while attached to the Seeing Eye People by leashes. They were helped across the street without needing to take their eyes off their phones."

Check out the videos below to see the results, and make sure to watch the second to see which New Yorkers embraced the service.

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