NHTSA Tests Illusional Speed Bumps

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is testing a fake speed bump to see if drivers will slow down. The optical illusion looks like a 3-D pyramid when seen from a distance. The first experiment in Phoenix seemed to work until drivers realized that there were no barriers. This time the NHTSA will run a larger test in a Philadelphia residential area, hoping that they will reduce pedestrian accidents. The markers only cost $60.00 to $80.00 apiece as opposed to real speed bumps which can run $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. At least they are acting reasonably about the devices that they realize will probably have only the same effect as flashing lights.

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If they work great. I think that they should also throw a few real ones in just for good measure. Keep the driving public guessing.

Posted by on July 03, 2008 at 09:06 AM | #

They have a quite a few of these down in Calgary here. Not the same image but a painted image and it really does work I fall for it every time lol.

Posted by on July 03, 2008 at 09:36 AM | #

Might help with pedestrians getting hit. People need to slow down and watch the roads more. I know where I am people havent been wanting to pay any attention the speed limit and get mad if they are behind you and you are doing the speed limit. I havent seen any of these speed bumps but I think we might benefit from them if we had them.

Posted by littlebull on July 03, 2008 at 11:23 AM | #

They arent mean’t to help pedestrians from getting hit. They are simply there to reduce the cost of what it would cost to place a speed bump.

Posted by on July 03, 2008 at 11:39 AM | #