Italy is taking steps to make its streets safer by cracking down on pedestrians who use their phones while crossing the road. A proposed traffic rule would ban people from using phones or other electronic devices while they are in a crosswalk. Anyone caught breaking the rule could face a €75 fine.

The proposal comes as distracted walking becomes a growing concern. People looking at their phones may fail to notice cars, scooters, bicycles or other pedestrians around them. By putting their phones away while crossing, pedestrians can pay closer attention to traffic and react more quickly to potential dangers.

The rule would apply only when while pedestrians are crossing the road. People would still be able to use their phones before or after crossing, and emergency situations would be treated differently. The goal is not to stop people from using their phones, but to encourage them to focus for the few seconds it takes to safely cross the street.

Supporters of the proposal say the rule could help reduce accidents by making pedestrians more aware of their surroundings. Drivers would also benefit because pedestrians who are paying attention are less likely to suddenly step into traffic or make unexpected movements.

Italy is not alone in trying to deal with distracted walking. Other places around the world have introduced rules or campaigns encouraging pedestrians to put their phones away near roads and crosswalks.

While some people may think a €75 fine is too much, Italian officials argue that safety should come first. A few seconds of putting a phone away could make the difference between safely reaching the other side of the street and becoming involved in an accident.

As smartphones continue to play a major role in everyday life, Italy’s rule change sends a simple message to people: when crossing the street, look up and pay attention.