Zig-zag lines being painted on purpose

wtop.com ^ | April 20, 2009 | Adam Tuss

[Daffynition]

LOUDOUN -- Behind the wheel, you want the least amount of distraction possible. So why is a local transportation agency painting crooked lines on the road on purpose?

The Virginia Department of Transportation says it's part of a safety campaign to get drivers to slow down in a high pedestrian and bicycle area. The 500 feet of zig-zagging lines are painted on the ground on Belmont Ridge Road, where it intersects with the Washington and Old Dominion trail in Loudoun County.

"It is a low cost strategy to get motorists to slow down as they approach the bike trail and pedestrian path," says VDOT's Mike Salmon. "While at first motorists may be a little disoriented, the main point is to get them to pay attention and slow down through that area."

There are plans to also paint the crooked lines on Sterling Boulevard where it intersects with the W&OD trail.

VDOT says similar programs have been successful in the United Kingdom and Australia. The transportation agency will study the zig-zagging lines for a year and see if they actually reduce speeds.

If the lines prove effective, you can expect to see more of them on the ground.

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This is madness.

[Henchster]

That’s really cool, almost like when a guide tells you: “get ready, prime target zone ahead.”

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[Cringing Negativism Network]

Oh man.

I’m not even a lawyer, and I bet I could make a 50 million dollar damage case stick, based on those photos alone - first time a pedestrian gets clobbered.

Maybe 100 million.

[guitarplayer1953]

Why don’t they tell the bike riders to look both ways and watch out?

[MediaMole]

There is a far more effective and less disorienting approach. Paint thick lines that serve as rumble strips. They become closer spaced as they approach the curve or other area.

Because they get closer together, the sound speeds up, making drivers feel like they are speeding up. Most people will slow down without even thinking about it.

[Henchster]

That is just crazy! I’ll bet there is a cop car just behind the big tree to bust you!

[Daffynition]

*sigh* Poor motorists ... what happens if you are prone to seizures?

[null and void]

[Daffynition]

Bike riders are a scourge on society.

[krb]

what happens if you are prone to seizures?

People prone to seizures don't get to drive.

[Daffynition]

[decal]

[guitarplayer1953]

And when they do something stupid that gets them hit by a car its always the driver fault not the bike rider.

[Daffynition]

Don’t get me goin’ on Virginia troopers who hide ...........GRRRRRRRRRRRR!

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[miliantnutcase]

Amen