An unusual road sign is now to be found in the seaside resort of Koksijde. It depicts two elderly people, with the caption: "Attention! Elderly people crossing the road". "The sign has been hanging there for several years. Not too many people have noticed it," says Griet Maenhout, the municipal mobility officer.
In some countries e.g. the Netherlands and Ireland the sign can be seen in many places, but in Flanders it is rare. "It was a colleague from the traffic committee who came up with the idea. He had seen the sign in the Netherlands and suggested putting up the same sign here too," explains Griet.
"We then started looking for an ideal place to hang the sign in the municipality. We ended up with the Ter Duinenlaan, where there is a residential care home, service flats and the municipality’s Social House. It’s the ideal place for such a sign."
Not legal, but tongue in cheek
For anybody still in any doubt: the road sign is not legally enforceable. "There is indeed no legal basis for it, but it is more a playful suggestion that elderly people may be crossing at the zebra crossing, a little further down the road."
"In Koksijde we have an elderly population, so I don't expect any negative reaction, because it is meant to be tongue in cheek."