In the heart of the Maine-et-Loire region of western France, just outside the city of Angers, lies the picturesque village of Baune—a place that has recently gained attention for a traffic experiment that’s anything but ordinary. Unlike most villages that rely on standard road signs, speed bumps, or flashing lights to control fast-moving vehicles, Baune has taken a bold and artistic approach: painting squiggly, wavy lines on the roads leading up to a T-junction.
This unusual decision has sparked conversation across the community and far beyond, drawing curiosity from people online and in the real world who are fascinated, confused, or both. The brain behind this creative initiative is none other than Baune’s mayor, Audrey Revereault, who spearheaded the project in response to growing concerns from residents about drivers speeding through the village. Instead of taking the traditional route of installing new signs or physical barriers, she opted for a visual disruption—a pattern that could psychologically encourage drivers to ease off the gas.
The idea is simple in concept but striking in execution: distort the sense of normalcy on the road to get motorists’ attention. As drivers approach the intersection, they are met with a series of painted lines that ripple and wave like something out of an abstract art exhibit. The hope is that this visual confusion forces them to instinctively slow down, not knowing what lies ahead. While some locals have praised the effort as creative and refreshing, others have been less enthusiastic. Several residents have compared the experience of driving over the markings to a bout of motion sickness, saying the wavy design creates an unsettling feeling as their eyes try to follow the erratic path. A few have even expressed concerns about safety, questioning whether the confusing pattern could pose a distraction or cause hesitation in drivers unfamiliar with the area. Still, there are those who see the logic behind the design.
In an era when drivers have become desensitized to standard warning signs and typical road markings, the unusual lines in Baune demand attention. They force drivers to pause and think, disrupting the autopilot mode that so many fall into behind the wheel. It’s precisely this jolt of awareness that Mayor Revereault and local officials hoped to achieve when they approved the project. And while it may be polarizing, there’s no denying that the approach has people talking. Social media has played a significant role in spreading the story, with photos of the squiggly roads making the rounds and attracting both praise and ridicule.
@designsecretsss How the town of Bauné, France used psychology to combat speeding drivers #psychology #design #cars #designsecrets ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
Some users have applauded Baune for its originality and willingness to try something new, while others have made jokes about the design, suggesting it looks more like a toddler’s crayon drawing than a road safety measure. Whether celebrated or critiqued, the squiggly line experiment sets Baune apart from other villages dealing with similar issues. It’s a testament to how a small town can take a big risk in search of a solution. While data on the effectiveness of the markings is still being gathered, the early buzz is undeniable. The visual disruption may be just the thing to wake drivers up and encourage safer habits—something that no amount of signage has been able to do in the past. As for the long-term outcome, it remains to be seen whether this playful solution will prove practical over time. Will drivers continue to slow down after they’ve grown accustomed to the novelty? Will the village keep the squiggly lines or eventually replace them with more conventional traffic controls? The answers to those questions will come with time and further observation. But for now, Baune stands as a unique case study in creative traffic management—a small French village that dared to do something different and, in doing so, has captured the attention of people far beyond its quiet roads. Whether viewed as genius or gimmick, the squiggly lines of Baune are a reminder that sometimes, the road less traveled is the one that makes the biggest impact.
