TRAFFIC LIGHTS... How much of our life do we waste waiting at Traffic Lights??

Question

Who really HATES Traffic Lights?

When you are in a hurry, they always take ages to change!!

Who invented Traffic Lights?

Answer 1

I completely agree with you. Why can't there be roundabouts everywhere? It would be better for the natural environment too! Plus they stay red for 90 secs. at big intersections!

On 10 December 1868, the first traffic lights were installed outside the British Houses of Parliament in London, by the railway engineer J.P. Knight. They resembled railway signals of the time, with semaphore arms and red and green gas lamps for night use. The gas lantern was turned with a lever at its base so that the appropriate light faced traffic. Unfortunately, it exploded on 2 January 1869, injuring the policeman who was operating it.

The modern electric traffic light is an American invention.[1] As early as 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah, policeman Lester Wire invented the first red-green electric traffic lights. On 5 August 1914, the American Traffic Signal Company installed a traffic signal system on the corner of 105th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.[2] [3] It had two colors, red and green, and a buzzer, based on the design of James Hoge, to provide a warning for color changes. The design by James Hoge (USPTO # 1251666 Sept. 22, 1913) allowed Police and Fire stations to control the signals in case of emergency. The first four-way, three-color traffic light was created by police officer William Potts in Detroit in 1920.[4] In 1923, Garrett Morgan patented a traffic signal device, although it was not a precursor of the modern traffic light [6].

The first interconnected traffic signal system was installed in Salt Lake City in 1917, with six connected intersections controlled simultaneously from a manual switch. Automatic control of interconnected traffic lights was introduced March 1922 in Houston, Texas.[5] The first automatic experimental traffic lights in England were deployed in Wolverhampton in 1927.[6]

Ampelmännchen pedestrian traffic signals have come to be seen as a nostalgic sign for the former German Democratic Republic.

Answer 2

Why, you actually stop at those things? I thought they were just a recommendation. I go straight through them all the time. Red, green, yellow. Zoom. Why wait?

LOL!

But yes, they are annoying. And they always seem to be timed using the most ridiculous logic possible.

I especially hate the lights that turn green only to have the very next light, only 200' away, turn red at exactly the same moment. They are probably thrilled with their "traffic control", but to me it is just CAUSING unnecessary traffic.

Did you ever notice how much quicker traffic goes when the power is out and there aren't ANY traffic lights working, and it's not a really heavy traffic area? People figure it out pretty well on their own and get through the intersection fast.

I'm all for the European concept of traffic circles. They're scary to the uninitiated, but with a little practice and experience, they are definitely the best and fastest way to deal with traffic converging on a single point.

Answer 3

I am not really a huge lover of traffic lights myself but would rather wait at some than have a terrible accident like the one I saw today! It was terrible.

Some though...like at the intersection of Tonkin Hwy and Rowley Rd in Perth...really suck. There will be NO cars coming for miles and miles and the lights will stay red! Grrr. Every single time I go that way, I am stuck for a good few minutes, knowing that if the lights weren't there.....I could safely go a hundred times before seeing another car!

Answer 4

Actually it's a fact i read somewhere that an average person spends up to 8 years of their life at traffic lights!! And thats what i think about while waiting for them to go green!!!
Yep, 8 whole years!!!

Answer 5

I grew up in a small town, but close enough to a big city to learn to except what I cant change. I have also driven in several foreign countries. Now there is a change. What I have learned is remember defensive driving, but you have to pick up some local driving procedures in order to survive. (Always try to leave yourself a way out)

Answer 6

Hi,I don't compare lights as time wasting,I look at them as Life Saving.
It is better to be 1 minute late than "Dead on Time"
Hope this helps Waltz.

Answer 7

This is one of modern life's frustrations. I feel better by using the time to relax / meditate / plan. Is there any other solution ? :0)

Answer 8

Hey, do what I did...move to the country!! Just moved from Perth to Geraldton...and dont miss those pesky traffic lights one bit!

Answer 9

What exactly would you be doing with that extra minute or two, assuming you weren't killed in a horrible collision at an intersection?

Answer 10

none, I just blow em..................