Traffic light
Traffic lights (or traffic signals) are lights used to control the movement of traffic. They are placed at road intersections and crossings.[1] The different colors of lights tell drivers what to do.
In South Africa, they call them robots.
Light cycles
Traffic lights change their colors in the same order every time. In most English-speaking countries, traffic lights usually change in this order:
- Red light on: This tells drivers to stop.
- Green light on: This means the driver can start driving or keep driving.
- Yellow light on: This tells drivers to stop when it is safe to, because the light is about to turn red.
Lester Wire was credited with the invention of the electric traffic light in 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Garrett Morgan, an African-American inventor, also developed a traffic signaling system, and was one of the first people to get a patent for a traffic light.
William Potts, a police officer, invented the first traffic light with three colors.
Traffic Light Media
An LED 50-watt traffic light in Portsmouth, United Kingdom
A traffic light in Jakarta, Indonesia, with its count-down timer. A pedestrian crossing is also shown.
Road crossing of A970 with Sumburgh Airport's runway in Shetland. The movable barrier closes when aircraft land or take off.
A traffic light in Westbrook, Maine, on State Route 25. Notice the red arrow to the left of the two green straight lights.
References
- ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - Traffic Signals". FDOT. Retrieved 2021-04-13.