Why this optical illusion will save lives

It’s no secret that pedestrians can be left feeling invisible to motorists from time to time – but a new optical illusion in the middle of the road is set to put that to an end.

In the small Icelandic village of Ísafjörður, a 3D pedestrian crossing has been painted on a narrow street in a bid to shock drivers into stopping.

The eye-popping illusion gives the effect that the crossing is elevated above ground level – and after a street painting company spent weeks perfecting the look, it’s hard to miss.

After seeing similar projects in India, Environemntal Commissioner Ralf Trylla went one better and created the floating zebra crossing.

Mr Trylla said it only took a couple of weeks to gain all the necessary permits from the police and transport authority.

The concept has experienced previous success in other countries, such as India, China, Canada and Japan.

Indian officials also introduced the idea in an effort to cut down the country’s high number of traffic accidents.

‘We are trying out 3D paintings used as virtual speed breakers to avoid unnecessary requirements for speed breakers,” transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in 2015.

Several cities including Vancouver and Osaka have tried similar methods on their busy streets, adding 3D children playing in the street to make drivers more alert.