Thailand Volunteer Group Creates Floating Crosswalks to Improve Road Safety

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A volunteer group in Thailand created 3D crosswalks to make roads safer for pedestrians. Students and volunteers used optical illusions to make the crossings look like they are floating. So far, the group has painted six floating crosswalks, which are situated around schools and temples in Thailand. The group’s latest project is a crossing outside the main entrance of a school in Bangkok. It was funded by Thailand’s Government Savings Bank. The 3D crosswalks are meant to be a creative solution to accidents and lack of awareness of road safety. As the innovative design gets the attention of drivers, speeding motorists are forced to slow down and stop when approaching the seemingly floating crosswalks. Based on the data gathered by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), there have been over 10,000 accidents involving pedestrians in Thailand in the last four years. These accidents had more than 900 casualties. In addition, a 2016 survey about road safety reported that approximately 90% of over 1,000 respondents felt unsafe while crossing the streets even with the use of crosswalks. The manager of the group behind the floating crosswalks project said that some drivers do not respect crosswalks. So, the group decided to use optical illusions to reinforce its importance. He wanted people to realize that roads are not only for vehicles but for pedestrians as well. Reactions to the 3D crosswalks are generally positive. Some parents think that the project is good and beneficial. However, some comments on social media pointed out how the crosswalks can be distracting to drivers and might eventually cause more problems and accidents.