3D zebra crossings confuse drivers
Novelty crossings create optical illusion that confused motorists
AN OPTICAL illusion that makes drivers instinctively brake has reached the Marina Alta – three-dimensional zebra crossings have been painted on an El Verger road.
The C/ Almàssera is not a main highway, but is heavily frequented several times daily as it leads to the local primary school, sports hall and social centre, meaning accidents caused by speeding would be particularly dramatic.
Found the world over, from India to Iceland, The Netherlands to Queensland in Australia, Malaysia – and Almussafes (Valencia province), 3D zebras appear to be raised slightly above the ground and made up of thick blocks.
They have turned out to be more effective than speed humps, speed cameras and speeding fines put together, and at least as dissuasive as traffic lights that turn red if drivers break the limit, such as the one into Oliva (Valencia province) on the Pego road.
El Verger's mayor Ximo Coll says the two recently painted are ' just a pilot for now' to 'see whether they work'.
Residents are pretty sure they will be a better use of taxpayers' funds than the 'ordinary' zebras on the main road into town past the industrial estate and SCAN animal shelter: painted five years ago on a very fast-moving carriageway for walkers to get to and from the Lidl complex, but nearly impossible to see even in daylight until drivers are practically on top of them, few pedestrians would risk their lives by using what became an instant laughing stock when they appeared.