Driving in La Paz is not for the faint hearted. If there are traffic rules then seemingly nobody knows what they are. If a car leaves a couple of inches between itself and another then most likely a bus of taxi will try to enter that space. If they do actually use their indicator lights at all it will most likely be after they have already maneuvered. Amongst this chaos wonders the pedestrian and many from La Paz seem to have developed a suicidal bravery for crossing the roads, walking out in front of mini buses in the hope the drivers highly tuned reactions will serve him well to avoid hitting them. As some drivers are often not so highly tuned or some pedestrians a little too over confident this results in many accidents.

This is why a novel scheme by the La Paz authorities was born. It involves training local under privileged teenagers and teaching them how to help control the traffic and pedestrians in order to have them cross safely at various crossings.  Much like traffic wardens in many countries although with a very different uniform -  in La Paz they are dressed in zebra suits. 

Working in pairs usually the zebras can be seen at various central La Paz cross roads instructing people to wait and cars to stop, ensuring that they safety cross the road. Should someone not follow their instructions ad cross regardless the zebras won’t say anything (zebras can’t talk of course) but perform a mime of exasperation by holding their heads in their hands and shaking in dismay. Sometimes in the busier spots they are accompanied by a colleague dressed as a donkey who will be used to imply to drivers that break the rules that they are fellow donkeys. Having experienced this first hand for stopping too far over the white line at a crossing I can confirm there is something quite humbling about being scolded by someone in a donkey suit.

The zebras are now a popular and well established addition to La Paz's streets and they even have their own facebook fan pages with many fans http://www.facebook.com/pages/Las-Cebras-de-La-Paz/119415246239.