ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

La Paz traffic zebras

Traffic zebras are people who dress up in zebra-like outfits and control traffic in the city of La Paz, which is the capital of Bolivia. They stand at busy intersections and use different movements and signals to help cars, buses, and people cross the streets safely.

Just like real zebras, these traffic zebras have black and white stripes all over their clothes, and they wear a zebra mask to complete their look. They also carry signs with big red letters that say things like "STOP" or "GO," which they use to inform the drivers and pedestrians about when it's safe to move or stop.

The traffic zebras are part of a program called "educa-vial," which means "road education" in Spanish. The idea behind the program is to promote road safety and awareness, especially among children and teenagers. Many of the traffic zebras are actually students who volunteer their time to earn community service hours for school.

The program started in 2001, and it has been quite successful in reducing the number of accidents and improving the obedience of traffic rules in La Paz. The traffic zebras have become a beloved and iconic symbol of the city, and many people dress up as zebras for special events and parades.

In summary, traffic zebras are people who dress up like zebras and help control traffic in La Paz, Bolivia, as part of a program to promote road safety and education. They use signs and signals to guide drivers and pedestrians, and they have become a beloved symbol of the city.