Aussies warned as obscure '3D' road markings appear on roads
Earlier this week, the NRMA issued a warning to NSW drivers in particular, reminding them that school zone rules apply for the next four week days.
That's despite children not returning to school until February 6.
On Wednesday, South Australia's Department of Infrastructure and Transport issued a notice to motorists in the state, warning them of a new set of 3D "dragon's teeth" road markings.
It said the markings are in place as part of a study being carried out by The University of Adelaide's Centre for Automotive Safety Research. 3D road markings are in place to create a visual illusion that grabs drivers' attention, encouraging them enhance road safety in critical areas.
"They are designed to grab motorists' attention and signal a transition into a low-speed zone (40 km/h)," the authority said in an online post. "By creating a visual cue, the markings are designed to encourage drivers to slow down, promoting safety in busy pedestrian areas."
While people responding gave mixed reactions to the announcement — with a number of people questioning "why not just paint the speed limit on the road?" — dragon's teeth markings are actually common place in Australia.
Consisting of painted triangles arranged in pairs on each side of a lane or road, they serve as visual cues to alert drivers that they are entering a zone where reduced speed is required, such as school zones or areas with lower speed limits.
The triangular shapes create a narrowing effect, encouraging motorists to slow down and proceed with caution. In NSW, dragon's teeth are commonly used to enhance the visibility of school zones and remind drivers of the 40 km/h speed limit in these areas.
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In Victoria, the implementation of dragon's teeth markings is increasing, particularly in areas where there's a need to encourage motorists to reduce speed, such as near schools or approaching hazards.
Discussions on social media indicate a growing presence of these markings in various parts of the state.
SA's fresh safety bid comes after 2024 was crowned the deadliest on Australia's roads since 2012 — a grim milestone road officials across the country hope to change.
Research conducted by the the federal Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) showed that 1,300 people died on Australian roads in 2024 — up from 1,258 in 2023.
It's reflective of a four-year period of surging deaths our roads, which has not occurred since before seatbelts were made mandatory in the '60s. A mind-blowing 359 people died in the three months to the end of December last year.
The data further revealed that last year's road toll was 18.5 per cent higher than in 2021, the year a 10-year plan to halve road deaths was launched.
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