Fake Speed Bumps-cities try to slow traffic

[underpants]

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/offbeat/22128174.html

It was a fake speed bump, a flat piece of blue, white and orange plastic that is designed to look like a 3-D pyramid from afar when applied to the pavement.

The optical illusion is one of the latest innovations being tested around the country to discourage speeding.

"It cautions you to slow down because you don't know what you are facing," Campbell said.

A smaller experiment two years ago in the Phoenix area found the faux speed bumps slowed traffic, at least temporarily. Now, in a much bigger test that began earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to find out if the markers can also reduce pedestrian accidents.

The 3-D markings are appealing because, at $60 to $80 each, they cost a fraction of real speed bumps (which can run $1,000 to $1,500) and require little maintenance, said Richard Simon, deputy regional administrator for the highway safety administration.

[gateley]

1. I'd probably stomp on the brakes --

I think it's funny that after a while, people just started ignoring them. Good effort, though!

[NV Whino]

2. I'm guessing that looks more realistic when you are driving

Or maybe people just slow down to say, "What the fuck is that?"

[TahitiNut]

3. Uh-huh, because we KNOW that most speeders have never driven that route before.

:eyes:

Anyone that slows down the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time they drive over those - because they "don't know what they're facing" probably should have their license revoked.

[underpants]

7. Okay but for how many cars *IS* this their first trip over them

or their first trip in a while. They slow down, just one, and everyone slows down.

I personally hate being slowed down but these cities seem to see a need for it :shrug:

The article also mentions that there are actual speed bumps beyond where these are.

[elocs]

4. I bet they work well--once. n/t

[usaftmo]

5. Eventually this will cause an accident. n/t

[Cleita]

6. I wonder how many rear enders are going to be caused because

some driver hits the brake pedal before he realizes that they are fake and the tail gater runs into him.

[TahitiNut]

9. Tailgaters? In California? Tell me it isn't so!

:rofl:

[Cleita]

10. Glad I could amuse you!

:rofl:

[Gold Metal Flake]

8. They should try something like this...>

[AndyTiedye]

11. Do Big SUV's Slow Down For Speed Bumps, or Speed Up?

[Gold Metal Flake]

13. If you are trying to pop a wheelie, you gotta speed up.

[MercutioATC]

12. Oh, those fucking morons.

Only $60 instead of $1000?

Pay out for a wrecked Ferrari and see how that works for you.



There is going to be a field day with this in the courts.