Europe Tests a New Method to Reduce Road Speeds
Amul Info ·
🚗 Europe is testing a new way to slow down traffic! Large yellow circles are being painted on roads in several cities in Germany and Austria to catch drivers’ attention and encourage them to slow down voluntarily. Initial trials showed an average speed reduction of 2–3 km/h.
Unusual road markings — large yellow circles painted directly onto the asphalt — have appeared on the streets of several cities in Germany and Austria. The innovation does not prohibit traffic or change the way traffic is regulated. Its main purpose is to attract drivers’ attention and encourage them to voluntarily reduce their speed.
According to the German radio station SWR3, the markings have been introduced in Berlin, Karlsruhe and Düsseldorf, as well as in several local municipalities in Austria.
The method is based on the way drivers visually perceive their surroundings. Bright, high-contrast circles on dark asphalt alter the road’s familiar appearance and encourage motorists to exercise greater caution.
In some locations, such as near Paulusplatz in Düsseldorf, the markings are combined with flexible bollards, street furniture and movable flower planters. This creates the visual impression that the street has been artificially narrowed. The approach helps restrict through traffic in residential areas without requiring extensive road construction work.
According to the results of initial trials in Austria, the average speed of traffic on road sections featuring these markings fell by 2–3 kilometres per hour. This could help reduce the risk of serious injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the same time, the initiative has its critics. The yellow circles are not part of the official traffic regulations and may initially confuse drivers arriving from other cities. Local authorities emphasise that the markings are intended solely as a psychological and warning measure.