The street security for pedestrians is an issue facing many municipalities. That of Loueuse also had to deal with a rather special case: that of ducks from a farm in the center of the village.
To reach the pond that borders the church, waterfowl have only to cross the street from their barnyard. But it is already a test in itself: “Several ducks ended up under the wheels of cars“, recognizes the deputy mayor, Eric Frontice.
– Bastien Roque
Protect the ducks but also the inhabitants
Hence the idea a year ago to create a pedestrian crossing for ducks. The realization is very simple: duck footprints, in white paint, which cross the road in one direction and in the other at the exit of the farm. “We thought that by making a zebra crossing for ducks, it could slow down the cars, for the safety of the ducks, but also of the inhabitants“.
– Bastien Roque
The spectacle has something to amaze drivers… and that’s the goal: “I don’t think motorists slow down because of ducks, but rather because of _curiosity to see this on the road_.“A homemade sign was also installed a few meters upstream to warn drivers.
– Bastien Roque
The children of the village involved
It was the children of the village who were happy to draw the stencil prints. Clémentine, 7 years old, is very fond of these ducks. “_I come to give them bread sometimes_. With the other children of the village, we had a piece of cardboard, on it there were duck feet. We had taken the bomb and with that we made the pedestrian crossing“.
– Bastien Roque
For his mother, Agnès, it’s a very good idea: “I think it’s good because I saw several times on this road the ducks being run over or go under the cars and be a little damaged. So it can be a good idea to make people slow down even if not everyone does it“.
– Bastien Roque
Accidents still happen but are much rareraccording to the town hall of Loueuse.