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.

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.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities urged drivers to slow down as new road safety measures, including 3D 'dragon's teeth' markings, were introduced ahead of the school year.
• These road markings, aimed at grabbing attention and signalling reduced speed zones, were part of a study to improve safety in critical areas.
• 'Dragon’s teeth' markings, familiar in some states like NSW and Victoria, encourage drivers to reduce speed in school zones and other high-risk locations.
• The initiative comes after 2024, which marked the deadliest year on Australian roads in over a decade, with a significant increase in fatalities.

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!

 

[ceej163]

A great idea.
certainly easier to see than elongated numbers painted on the road.

 

[Craftingnonna]

My husband slows down in the school zone all the time, even when the children are on holiday. We lived in Canberra for several years and the rule is slow down in a school zone always, so he continues doing it, besides the school near us has a huge speed hump that slows everyone down.

 

[darrellh]

Everyone knows where the schools are and that you have to slow down and it would only be those unfamiliar with an area that wouldn't know and should be taking it easy anyway since they are in unfamiliar territory. The signs are there for people to notice. Some people unfortunately choose to be ignorant and have no concern for the safety of others. Let's hope it is a better year on our roads as 2024 was a shocker.

 

[Iggydi]

It would be nice if the school zones were the same all around Australia and then there would be no excuses for speeding through school zones. South Australia I think are the only state that have a 25kph speed limit for their school zones. Also it would be nice to teach the children basic road rules as that also would help keep the accidents to a minimum.

 

[Hamalot]

The ones here in Sth Oz have a different colour with the blue and the ‘shadow effect’ makes them look 3D. Quite clever really.

 

[Towing]

I hope that is "non-slip" paint. On wet surfaces if you have to brake you can find your tyres "sliding " or similar on the road surface. There is no way to avoid driving on the paint. On some motorsport bitumen surfaces they use special paint.

 

[Bill MacL]

A 3D picture of a policeman with a radar partly hidden behind a pole will slow them down quicker.

 

[Vio Kot]

My husband slows down in the school zone all the time, even when the children are on holiday. We lived in Canberra for several years and the rule is slow down in a school zone always, so he continues doing it, besides the school near us has a huge speed hump that slows everyone down.

So do I, it's an automatic reaction for me

 

[Cynic]

Hi,
I would like to see speed limits painted on roads, especially where a road has several speed limits, ( Eg. East parade Perth)
this would save Drivers looking for road signs Instead of watching the road while driving.
I also strongly believe the positioning of Street signs should Be regulated-standard - in WA street signs are all over the place, causing driver distractions When navigating
cynic

 

[Veggiepatch]

These markings, designed to create a visual illusion, aimed to capture drivers’ attention and improve road safety in key areas.

In other words, divert the drivers' attention from actually driving by gawking at funny little patterns on the road. Will we see an increase in nose to tail collisions in school zones?

But....but....but....mobile phones take one's attention of the road, as do a speedometer, in dash display, climate control, navigation aids and so on.

 

[Jennylolo]

It would be nice if the school zones were the same all around Australia and then there would be no excuses for speeding through school zones. South Australia I think are the only state that have a 25kph speed limit for their school zones. Also it would be nice to teach the children basic road rules as that also would help keep the accidents to a minimum.

yes SA we have 25kph. Anad kids are taught basic road rules too in early grades.

 

[Jennylolo]

a squiggle doesn't mean much why not just the number of kpm, no different arrows for turning indicating the turn.

 

[Greg350]

These markings, designed to create a visual illusion, aimed to capture drivers’ attention and improve road safety in key areas.

In other words, divert the drivers' attention from actually driving by gawking at funny little patterns on the road. Will we see an increase in nose to tail collisions in school zones?

But....but....but....mobile phones take one's attention of the road, as do a speedometer, in dash display, climate control, navigation aids and so on.

OMG, part of driving is seeing the road markings, as is keeping an eye on the speedo, gauges, whatever.
If anyone can't drive and be aware of the road markings and their vehicles controls they should absolutely not be driving.

 

[Veggiepatch]

OMG, part of driving is seeing the road markings, as is keeping an eye on the speedo, gauges, whatever.
If anyone can't drive and be aware of the road markings and their vehicles controls they should absolutely not be driving.

From what I have witnessed as a non driving vehicle occupant of the past nine years, most "drivers" on the road should not be on the road!

Licencing is now about how to pass a theory and practical test, not about the actual skills required to drive a vehicle.

I have seen many instances where distraction has caused a collision, from dropping a cigarette at one's feet to looking at roadside advertising. How about sections of road where the speed limit changes three or more times within a stretch of road less than one kilometre in length? And that isn't a distraction in itself?

 

[Greg350]

From what I have witnessed as a non driving vehicle occupant of the past nine years, most "drivers" on the road should not be on the road!

Licencing is now about how to pass a theory and practical test, not about the actual skills required to drive a vehicle.

I have seen many instances where distraction has caused a collision, from dropping a cigarette at one's feet to looking at roadside advertising. How about sections of road where the speed limit changes three or more times within a stretch of road less than one kilometre in length? And that isn't a distraction in itself?

"How about sections of road where the speed limit changes three or more times within a stretch of road less than one kilometre in length? And that isn't a distraction in itself?"

Absolutely NOT, that is part of driving. What are you looking at when driving, "the road", what's that, the bitumen? Signs, traffic lights, road markings, speed limits, other road users, yes it's complex, yes many struggle BUT if people are not up to the requirements to drive......they shouldn't.

It's not a right to have a licence, it is a privilege, and to earn that privilege you must show your ability to handle the vehicle on the road.

The driving test is fine, YOU said, "pass a theory and practical test", well that includes the skills required to drive a vehicle. "practical test.

 

[Veggiepatch]

"How about sections of road where the speed limit changes three or more times within a stretch of road less than one kilometre in length? And that isn't a distraction in itself?"

Absolutely NOT, that is part of driving. What are you looking at when driving, "the road", what's that, the bitumen? Signs, traffic lights, road markings, speed limits, other road users, yes it's complex, yes many struggle BUT if people are not up to the requirements to drive......they shouldn't.

It's not a right to have a licence, it is a privilege, and to earn that privilege you must show your ability to handle the vehicle on the road.

The driving test is fine, YOU said, "pass a theory and practical test", well that includes the skills required to drive a vehicle. "practical test.

In 1980, I obtained my motorcycle licence and the "practical" test comprised of riding about 200 metres up the road, doing a U-turn and nothing more.

I got the impression that if I made it back in one piece, I was right to go. Nothing to do with actual skills of riding a motorcycle!

 

[DEL boy]

Remember the chevrons on the highway to and from Ballarat indicating two chevrons distance for safety/
I don't think they are still there, or not visable?

 

[deni67]

The ones here in Sth Oz have a different colour with the blue and the ‘shadow effect’ makes them look 3D. Quite clever really.

Iv'e never seen that in S.A., although I don't go out often, yesterday I went through several crossings and didn't notice them.

 

[Greg350]

In 1980, I obtained my motorcycle licence and the "practical" test comprised of riding about 200 metres up the road, doing a U-turn and nothing more.

I got the impression that if I made it back in one piece, I was right to go. Nothing to do with actual skills of riding a motorcycle!

Guess what, this is not 1980 and your evidence of what happened with you is not necessarily the norm.

You said, "Licencing is now about how to pass a theory and practical test, not about the actual skills required to drive a vehicle."

NO, not now, in 1980......maybe, although I doubt it, my test was nothing like that.

The test is designed to show the testing officer your ability to handle the vehicle with other road users. Funny how the vast majority are just fine after getting their licence, only some who decide they think they know better, think laws do not apply to them. No amount of training will change attitudes. I've been involved in driver training for over 20 years, well aware of what goes in with teaching and the examination of applicants.

And if you think our tests are poor have a look at the USA, literally drive around a few blocks, do a kerbside stop, that is pull straight in and straight back out. No reversing at all, may have no Stop signs or traffic lights in the test, extremely basic and far less than what is entailed in Australian tests.