What are new ‘dragon teeth’ road symbols that people driving into Spain may see?

Motorists travelling through or to Spain may see a strange marking on some roads resembling ‘dragon teeth’. 

These are rows of white triangles painted along the edges of the lane, creating the impression that the road is becoming narrower.

The markings are designed to make drivers slow down by changing how they perceive the road instead of using physical barriers or fines. 

The Spanish traffic authorities describe the markings as a way of creating a ‘tunnel effect’ that encourages motorists to reduce their speed when entering sensitive areas, such as village crossings, pedestrian zones or areas linked with frequent accidents. 

Triangle markings are placed on both sides of the road/lane, and as drivers advance, they increase in size, making the lane appear to shrink. 

Each triangle has a base of around 75cm, spaced from others 1.5m apart and their height increases along the road section from 60cm in the first part, to 75cm in the middle, and 90cm in the final section. 

According to Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), the measure has already shown results. It reports a reduction of around 25% in accidents on sections where these markings have been introduced. 

Spain also moves ahead with AI speed cameras 

This is not the only advanced road-safety innovation that has been introduced in Spain. The country is also introducing a new generation of ‘smart’ speed cameras using 3D LiDAR technology and artificial intelligence. 

These systems are able to identify vehicles from more than 200m away and analyse traffic in three dimensions. 

They can differentiate between cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles, applying different speed limits depending on the type of vehicle. 

Additionally, because these measurements are taken before the drivers are able to detect the camera, late-braking becomes ineffective. 

The technology can also help detect stopped vehicles, accidents and dangerous driving behaviour in real time. 

Could France introduce dragon’s teeth? 

Spain’s idea has attracted attention, with several French media outlets suggesting that the markings could eventually be tested on French roads. 

However, there is currently no official announcement from the French government, the ministry of transport or road safety authorities confirming a French trial or deployment programme.