Mimes Enforcing Traffic Laws?

In Caracas, Venezuela, 120 mimes were let loose on the city to remind residents of the traffic laws. They wagged their fingers at traffic violators, held up their hands in the stop motion at red lights and guided pedestrians back into crosswalks.

It was an unusual measure to employ but much needed. Traffic conditions here can, at best, be described at chaotic — bus drivers drop off passenger in the middle of the street, motorcyclists drive on sidewalks and motorists off reverse down a street when they miss a turn.

Results (so far) have been mixed. Some motorists have been heeding the mimes’ silent pleas. However, others ignore them or yell at them. A few even use their middle finger as their own silent response.