Drivers slow down because of the interlaced road markings?

Only 1,700 people live in the village of Baune in Loire-Authion, France. The traffic volume at this location is high, as it is located at the intersection between two inter-provincial roads.

Many of the 2,300 vehicles passing through daily can reach speeds of 50–100 km/h, despite a speed limit of 30 km/h.

To force drivers to slow down, local authorities came up with the idea of ​​using confusing road markings in the form of overlapping solid and broken lines.

Photos of the strange road signs at the busy intersection of Bounet’ went viral on social media and left many people confused. According to the rules, cars are not allowed to cross the solid line, so some people think that overlapping lines are unnecessary.

Some wonder why local authorities do not use traditional devices such as roundabouts or traffic lights to reduce speeds. Some even questioned the validity of this line.

One user wrote, “What does the mayor think? This is not his private garden.” Some have criticized this as a “ridiculous and dangerous” action. Some people wonder how a pedestrian walks.

For his part, Grégoire Jounault, the deputy mayor in charge of the development of the Loire-Authion region, argues that road markings that intentionally make it difficult for drivers are enforced on the day of their completion.

He admits that this can “disorient people, especially the elderly”, but the data shows that the speed of passing vehicles has decreased significantly. He also said that the government intends to build speed bumps, but there is a fear of loud noise in the village.

However, a section of the local community views this success as only temporary. As soon as motorists get used to it, they will start driving at high speed again.