Most Capetonians automatically slow down when they see a police officer with a speed camera on the side of the road. This is the logic the traffic department has applied to decrease speeding in the city, the only catch is that the officer is actually a metal cut-out.
A video and a picture of a metal cut-out in Cape Town made its way to social media this week exposing the clever scheme and making locals do a double-take.
Many residents shared their surprise at being fooled by the cut-out while driving on Frans Conradie Drive, under the R300 bridge and in the Fish Hoek area as well.
Locals found the scheme humorous and admitted having slowed down when they saw what they thought was a real traffic officer.
The response to the initiative was generally positive, with residents agreeing that it is a smart way to enforce the speed limit and make drivers feel as though they are being watched without needing to actually post an officer in the area.
Similarly this year, scientists hatched a plan to encourage penguins to swim to waters better suited to the colony by placing fake penguin decoys at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
With the help of local artist, Roelf Daling, BirdLife South Africa is convincing penguins with ultra-realistic concrete decoys to go to certain areas, due to penguins’ inherent tendency to gather in groups.
Can you spot the fake? The video below shows penguins being fooled by the faux feathered friend and settling in a comfortable spot beside it.
Whether you’re a human or a penguin, a convincing decoy is doing exactly what it was set up to achieve so keep your eyes peeled the next time you take to the road.
Picture: Facebook
