Yellow Circles Painted on Roads in German and Austrian Cities to Slow Drivers
Yellow circles have appeared on streets in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Karlsruhe and several Austrian cities, aiming to make drivers more careful without new signs. Early results in Austria show speeds falling by 2–3 km/h, though the approach has critics.
Unusual yellow circles have appeared on the road surface in several German and Austrian cities, introduced to improve traffic safety. The new markings have been spotted in the German cities of Düsseldorf, Berlin and Karlsruhe, as well as in several Austrian cities. They are not official road signs. Their aim is to make drivers more attentive without installing extra signs or introducing new restrictions.
Why yellow
The idea rests on principles of traffic psychology. Yellow is regarded as a warning colour in road traffic, and its contrast with dark asphalt makes the markings easy to notice. Traffic planners hope the circles will catch drivers' attention and prompt them to lift their foot off the accelerator.
The circles have three main purposes:
- to reduce vehicle speeds without extra signs or bans;
- to raise driver alertness;
- to reduce the volume of transit traffic on a given stretch of road.
In some places the circles are complemented by posts at the roadside. Together they create the impression that the carriageway has become narrower, and a road may seem less attractive to drivers unfamiliar with the area. This effect is also part of the strategy to cut transit traffic.
Early results
Such markings are not yet widespread, but some results are available. On an Austrian road section where the solution was used, vehicle speeds fell by two to three kilometres per hour. International experience suggests that combining such markings with road posts can help reduce the number of accidents, which is especially important for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
Criticism
The approach also has opponents. One of the main objections is that the coloured dots and circles are not official road signs, so not all drivers know what they mean and they may cause confusion. The usefulness of applying them is also questioned, given the costs and their appearance.
