International Traffic Light Day

International Traffic Light Day calls attention to the importance of traffic lights in everyday life. These devices have made road traffic safer – now we cannot imagine a single long car trip without them. Such useful things deserve a separate holiday.

History

The first traffic light in US history was installed on August 5, 1914, in Cleveland. Its predecessor is the 1868 London traffic light prototype. For a long time, the traffic light had only two colors: red and green, and the warning function was performed by a sound signal. An increase in the number of cars and traffic density quickly created the need for new traffic lights. In 1920, a yellow signal appeared, which is used in devices to this day.

To effectively regulate traffic, a sufficient number of traffic lights is not enough: it is necessary to synchronize them and ensure their timings are neither too long nor too short. This is not an easy task.

Interesting facts

• Japanese traffic lights used blue instead of green for a long time.
• Most traffic jams in major cities occur in India.
• The idea of ​​combining color and sound signals is coming back again, as it is convenient for people with visual impairments.
• In Rio de Janeiro, drivers don’t have to stop when they see a red signal at night. This is due to the fact that a stopped car can be robbed, because the country has a high crime rate.

How to take part

Study information about traffic lights on the Internet: their history is very fascinating. Teach your children to recognize the signals, explain what they mean, and share some interesting facts about traffic on social media.

When is International Traffic Light Day in 2024?

International Traffic Light Day is observed on August 5 each year.

Observations