By Madison Ford

West Vancouver, Canada recently revealed its new innovation in traffic safety. It is not reduced speed limits however, but rather a speed bump resembling a human child.

When approaching the speed bump, the image of a 3-D child rises up in the drivers eye sight. The driver then, in theory, reduces its speed and realizes the 2-D speed bump is only an optical illusion. While this road creation is fine in theory, the reality of its effectiveness is shaky and somewhat morbid.

Imagine driving down the road when suddenly a child appears before the vehicle. The human reaction is to either jam on the brakes, or swerve, putting both the driver and others at risk. This speed bump could possibly cause more harm than good. Though the justification can be used that the driver should already be driving at a reduced speed approaching the speed bump, the fact remains that many do not. Is proving a point worth the risk of dangerous reactions on the road?

Another aspect of this speed bump that is concerning is its disturbing nature. The fact that the speed bump makes the driver thinks they are hitting a child is bordering on appropriate. Not to mention the fact that the speed bump is located in a school zone. Hitting or almost hitting another human being is a traumatic experience, and drivers should not have to feel that guilt or instant panic unless they are truly in that situation.

Though the point the speed bump is trying to make is a valid one, there are different ways to bring awareness to cautious driving and road safety without tricking drivers into dire situations.