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Children's crossing in The Gambia
Bakau, XI.1998;
pict. M. Tailly		 Marakissa, XI.1998;
pict. M. Tailly		 Georgetown, III.2008;
pict. Baeten & De Dier
Children are always in for a surprise.
These two are not walking between the lines as most people do (e.g. Guatemala, Hawaii, Belize). They are crossing the delimited zone. This brings me to the conclusion that the dashed lines show the borders of the road contrary to the aforementioned countries where the lines indicate the crossing place. The two-lines method is the (Central) American way of doing; it is an exception in Africa.

Some more observations:

  • The children are very small compared to the canvas.
  • Both are boys; this is unusual on signs in Africa.
  • The detail gives a hint about why they are walking away from the viewer.
Real winners; amongst the best there is. Drawn with an amazing care for detail. Notice the white strokes which do an excellent job in creating depth. Even the best European designs (e.g. Great Britain or Denmark) don't have them.

Both signs also comply with the African way of doing: the leading person is a girl —Find more examples in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South-Africa. Some readers will raise the point that African children are supposed to hold hands. But of course they can't being with three and each bringing a bookbag.

Speed limits compared: in Australia.
 
Kuntaur, III.2008;
pict. Baeten & De Dier		 Kuntaur, III.2008;
pict. Baeten & De Dier		 Georgetown, III.2008;
pict. Baeten & De Dier
The remaining finds come out a trifle disappointing after the first beauties.

The Kuntaur signs are copies of the European kind: the girl walks first, but it's the boy who's in control. The drawing is below par.

 The sponsored sign emanates African behaviour but the drawing is equally poor. We rather expect Oil Gambia to perform better.
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More signs from The Gambia: Men at work