“The Seforim say that a man should look at the ground whenever he is walking in public.”
Actually the seforim would never advocate doing something stupid. (then again, “the seforim” could mean anything found on the shelf of a judaica shop published by anyone who has the means to do so). walking while looking at the ground is like walking with a blindfold. what the seforim advocate is looking downward and not all around you to limit your line of site.