these school warning signs indicate that kids can come running from two sides; yet, the signs are different, even on the same location
Most of the time, in a car, I drive myself. Obviously, you look outside, try to appreciate some of the countryside, but mainly, you pay attention to the traffic. And to the traffic signs along the road. Perfunctorily. That is to say, you register the signs, you know what they are supposed to tell you – but you don’t really look in any detail.
On this trip we are blessed with a driver – a very good one, quiet, safe – and I have all the time of the world to look around, appreciate the views. And when the road is a little boring, and that happens occasionally, I note the traffic signs. And I start to note something I have never realised before: the same sign – the same message – occurs in different variations. And once you have noticed this, you start seeing more and more differences. At least, in India – I will go home and check whether this also applies to The Netherlands.
The selection presented here is of school zone warning signs. Of one kid, or two, a boy and a girl (big boy, small girl, or small boy, big girl). Running or walking. Or of what looks like a parent and child. And then there is that whole collection of different school bags. And this is only from the NE of India, in fact, predominantly Assam.
Incidentally, I could have shown a range of different zebra crossing signs. Or, my favourite – and I still regret not having taken the pictures -, a whole set of signs warning for rock fall. I noticed three different ones in half an hour’s drive.
Bet you never noticed. Bet that, from now on, you never look at traffic signs again in the same perfunctorily way.
next: the road to Tawang
the standard school warning sign? note the detached heads
this, too, is warning for crossing kids: big girl, small boy
almost the same? but the legs are different, the skirt is wider, the heads are square
big boy, small girl – with pony tail; and with school bags
and this is a more schematic rendering of the same subject matter
big girl with hand-held bag, small boy with rucksack?
big boy with rucksack, and the small girl?
now here we talk about rucksacks, in lots of detail
here, too, but less detail, and a black line on the saign, oh, and it is square!
no more rucksacks, but more running
and here is only one boy left, but boy, is he late for school!
this one – admittedly from Kolkata, not from Assam – has much more time, and shorts and short sleeves
another one late for school, note the bag, and the arm carrying it
whilst this one just has a simple bag, no details
same image, but differently printed on the board, and with a more detailed bag
and this one, too, but with a strap over his shoulder
this is probably a historic specimen, only spotted once, and pretty rusted
and this is the only round one I saw, still the boy with shoulder strap, but different bag from the previous one
well, and this is really what it is all about
At least you will understand to drive slowly!!