Around the world, the deaths of pedestrians in traffic have increased by up to 41% since 2008. There are many reasons why deaths occur, including unlit and unsafe roads or reckless drivers. Many countries deal with the road safety problem in different ways, but Iceland’s solution is the most creative of them all.
In the northwest of Iceland lies a town called Ísafjörður, with a population of about 2,600 people. It is the capital of the region and the center of trade, commerce, fishing, and tourism. The summers are fresh, and the winters are cold. Sometimes during the winter solstice, the sun’s rays don’t reach the town for weeks because Ísafjörður is situated in a fjord surrounded by steep mountains.
In Ísafjörður, an exciting road safety solution for pedestrians to cross the street safely is now complete. Street painting company, Vegmálun GÍH, painted 3D optical-illusion zebra stripes to catch the attention of the driver. It has become a new kind of speed bump.
This innovative, witty, and fun design gives pedestrians the feeling like they’re walking on air when they walk across it to the other side. When drivers pass it, they will undoubtedly slow down once the floating zebra stripes pop up at them.
The creative idea was inspired after Icelandic environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla saw a similar project in New Delhi, India. Soon after, he asked the painting company to make his vision of a futuristic pedestrian crosswalk into reality.
The small town hosts many events and festivals such as the Ski Week Festival, the European Championship of Swamp Soccer, the Act Alone theatre festival, and the alternative music festival Aldrei fór ég suður. People from all over Iceland come to join the festivities.
With so many people coming to the town for all kinds of events, it’s good to know that at least they will be safe on the street with the zebra-striped crosswalk.
