La Laguna Installs Ground-Level Traffic Lights to Protect Distracted Pedestrians

La Laguna has launched a new road safety initiative near the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC) to help protect pedestrians distracted by their smartphones. Local authorities identified mobile phone use as a major factor in rising traffic accidents and are now using projected pavement lighting to address the issue.

Led by the Department of Citizen Security and supported by Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the project uses an optical module synced with standard traffic lights. When the light turns red, a bright signal is projected directly onto the ground. This ensures that pedestrians looking down at their phones receive a clear visual warning without needing to look up.

The area around the HUC was chosen for this pilot program due to its high volume of foot traffic and proximity to the tram line. According to reports from Metropolitano de Tenerife, this intersection has seen dangerous situations caused by inattention. Councilor Badel Albelo noted that this technology is particularly important for hospital visitors, who may be distracted by stress or fatigue.

The city will monitor the effectiveness of these lights in reducing traffic violations. If the trial is successful, the council plans to install similar systems at other high-risk locations. This project is part of a wider modernization effort that includes adding smart, sensor-equipped crosswalks to major roads like Los Menceyes and César Manrique avenues. Through these measures, the local government aims to use technology to improve safety in an era of constant mobile connectivity.