Most of us use traffic lights every day, but did you know that the first one appeared in London back in 1868, long before motor cars became common?
It was operated by a policeman, used gas lamps, and eventually suffered an explosion!
The story doesn't end there. Several inventors developed electric signals, the familiar red, amber and green system, and safer ways of managing junctions.
A few questions for discussion:
- Did you know traffic lights existed before motor cars?
- Have you encountered unusual traffic lights in your country?
- Do modern traffic lights make junctions safer, or sometimes cause unnecessary delays?
- Should more junctions use roundabouts instead of traffic lights?
Read: Who Invented The Traffic Light?
What do you think?