Shocking new 3D speed bump illusion of girl crossing the road that suddenly 'appears' in front of drivers

By Niall Firth
Last updated at 4:08 PM on 8th September 2010

It sounds like a terrifying experience that would make even the most seasoned of drivers panic or even crash.

But a school in Canada is using a bizarre 3D optical illusion of a young girl crossing the road to try and make drivers slow down.

The image of a girl chasing after a ball is painted on the road and elongated to make it appear three-dimensional when seen from an approaching car.

The image of a girl rears up out of the road to alert drivers to their speed

Critics say that the child’s image could surprise drivers so much that they will slam on the brakes or even swerve off the road if they do not realise the girl is just an illusion.

At a distance it just looks like a marking on the road but when the car is 30 metres away it appears to suddenly rise up from the road.

When the driver is closer than 30 metres the image appears to sink back into the road.

If a car is travelling at the speed limit for the road, 30km/h, then he should be able to stop in time before he reaches the image.

Safety experts say the alarming image is designed to teach drivers to always be prepared for the unexpected.

The illusion is to be placed on the road outside École Pauline Johnson Elementary School in West Vancouver in Canada and will be accompanied by a sign which reads: ‘You’re probably not expecting kids to run into the road.’

Council bosses in the area say that the illusion will encourage drivers to drive defensively, as though a child could run out into the road at any moment.

The image will be removed after a week.