The municipality of Sanem has painted the tarmac on on the road leading to its primary school in a multitude of colours. The tarmac on Rue Scheierhaff is now covered with multi-coloured dots and a rainbow. The purpose of this move is to alert cars to be mindful of primary school pupils and drive slower, inspired by a Scandinavian policy.
However, the municipality's colourful actions have not been received favourably by the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works. Upon RTL inquiry, a spokesperson for the ministry highlighted article 110 of the Highway Code, which dictates which colours and shapes are permitted on roads. The Highway Code does not authorise a rainbow-painted street.
Sanem's mayor, Georges Engel, remains steadfast faced with ministry disapproval. He believes the safety measure will work and does not plan to remove the colourful paint. As Engel explained, if the legislation does not permit these colours then perhaps the ministry should endeavour to authorise painting in the colours in specific areas. The mayor is adamant that motorists are already slowing down and perceiving the rainbow as a a traffic-calming move.
The ministry did not specify whether the road must be repainted to reflect its previous form. As for how pupils will react to the rainbows, we will find out in under two weeks time.
