Drivers stunned as mysterious road markings pop up—here’s what you need to know
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A new change on Aussie roads has left many drivers scratching their heads.
What started as an unexpected update quickly turned into a topic of heated debate, raising questions about its effectiveness and impact on road safety.
With authorities stepping in, it’s clear that this development is not just a minor tweak but part of a broader effort to address a growing concern.
Authorities urged motorists to slow down as students prepared to return to school, with various safety measures introduced to enhance road awareness.
Earlier in the week, the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) reminded NSW drivers that school zone rules would be enforced for the next four weekdays, despite students not resuming classes until 6 February.
In South Australia, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport announced the rollout of 3D ‘dragon’s teeth’ road markings on 31 January, as part of a study by The University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research.
These markings, designed to create a visual illusion, aimed to capture drivers’ attention and improve road safety in key areas.
‘They are designed to grab motorists’ attention and signal a transition into a low-speed zone (40 km/h),’ the authority stated 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 some social media users supported the initiative, others questioned why authorities did not simply paint speed limits directly onto the road.
‘Dragon’s teeth’ markings were already a familiar sight in Australia, particularly in NSW, where they were commonly used in school zones to reinforce the 40 km/h limit.
Consisting of painted triangles arranged in pairs along the edges of a lane, these markings created a narrowing effect, encouraging drivers to reduce speed and proceed with caution.
Victoria had also expanded the use of ‘dragon’s teeth’ in areas where speed reduction was critical, such as near schools and high-risk locations.
Social media discussions reflected an increasing presence of these markings across various parts of the state.
The initiative followed a grim road safety milestone, with 2024 marking the deadliest year on Australian roads since 2012.
Data from the federal Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) showed that 1,300 people lost their lives in road incidents last year, up from 1,258 in 2023.
This represented an 18.5 per cent increase from 2021, the year Australia launched a decade-long plan to halve road fatalities.
The final quarter of 2024 alone saw 359 road deaths, a figure not witnessed since before seat belts became mandatory in the 1960s.
In a previous story, we discussed how, in the lead-up to the return of school, Australian road authorities are warning drivers to be cautious of a "speed fine trap."
This trap tends to target parents more heavily during pupil-free days.
Read on to find out what you need to watch out for before the school year kicks off.
As road safety continues to evolve, will these new markings make a real difference, or are they just another passing trend? Share your opinion in the comments below!
What started as an unexpected update quickly turned into a topic of heated debate, raising questions about its effectiveness and impact on road safety.
With authorities stepping in, it’s clear that this development is not just a minor tweak but part of a broader effort to address a growing concern.
Authorities urged motorists to slow down as students prepared to return to school, with various safety measures introduced to enhance road awareness.
Earlier in the week, the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) reminded NSW drivers that school zone rules would be enforced for the next four weekdays, despite students not resuming classes until 6 February.
In South Australia, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport announced the rollout of 3D ‘dragon’s teeth’ road markings on 31 January, as part of a study by The University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research.
New road markings aim to improve safety awareness. Image source: Facebook/SA Infrastructure and Transport
These markings, designed to create a visual illusion, aimed to capture drivers’ attention and improve road safety in key areas.
‘They are designed to grab motorists’ attention and signal a transition into a low-speed zone (40 km/h),’ the authority stated 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 some social media users supported the initiative, others questioned why authorities did not simply paint speed limits directly onto the road.
‘Dragon’s teeth’ markings were already a familiar sight in Australia, particularly in NSW, where they were commonly used in school zones to reinforce the 40 km/h limit.
Consisting of painted triangles arranged in pairs along the edges of a lane, these markings created a narrowing effect, encouraging drivers to reduce speed and proceed with caution.
Victoria had also expanded the use of ‘dragon’s teeth’ in areas where speed reduction was critical, such as near schools and high-risk locations.
Social media discussions reflected an increasing presence of these markings across various parts of the state.
The initiative followed a grim road safety milestone, with 2024 marking the deadliest year on Australian roads since 2012.
Data from the federal Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) showed that 1,300 people lost their lives in road incidents last year, up from 1,258 in 2023.
This represented an 18.5 per cent increase from 2021, the year Australia launched a decade-long plan to halve road fatalities.
The final quarter of 2024 alone saw 359 road deaths, a figure not witnessed since before seat belts became mandatory in the 1960s.
In a previous story, we discussed how, in the lead-up to the return of school, Australian road authorities are warning drivers to be cautious of a "speed fine trap."
This trap tends to target parents more heavily during pupil-free days.
Read on to find out what you need to watch out for before the school year kicks off.
As road safety continues to evolve, will these new markings make a real difference, or are they just another passing trend? Share your opinion in the comments below!
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