Traffic lights have long and firmly entered our lives. They wink at us on the highways. Because of them, we are nervous at the pedestrian crossing, afraid to miss the morning bus. Even preschool children know what red, green, and yellow signals mean. However, few people know when the International Day of traffic lights is celebrated.
history of the holiday
The "great-grandfather" of today's traffic light was invented by Jay Knight and installed in London back in 1868. The signals on it were switched manually. However, the fate of the apparatus was tragic. Three years after the launch, one of the lights exploded, and a policeman was injured. The structure was removed, and the traffic light was forgotten for several decades.
The first automatic device designed to regulate traffic appeared in 1914 in the American city of Cleveland. It had two signals - green and red. When switching, a loud sound was heard, which at first frightened the townspeople. A significant event occurred on August 5. International traffic light day has been timed to this date, and since then it has been celebrated around the world for more than a hundred years. Over the past period, the device has undergone significant changes.
Modern traffic lights
The usual devices with three color signals (red, yellow and green) appeared in 1920. Now they can be seen at any intersection. Two-color traffic lights regulate the movement of pedestrians, as well as the entry of drivers into parking lots. In some cases, devices are equipped with additional sections. They depict arrows, various symbols of white-moon color.
The record holder for the number of signals is the traffic light in Berlin. He has thirteen of them. Many motorists, seeing this, fall into a stupor. Therefore, a policeman is on duty next to the device, ready at any time to come to the aid of a bewildered driver.
Traffic lights regulate the movement of not only cars, but also trains, trams, river vessels. It is difficult to imagine life without them.
Monuments to the traffic light
Artists and sculptors did not ignore this wonderful device. One of the most interesting designs was created by Pierre Vivan and is located in central London. It is a tree, on the branches of which 75 traffic lights are suspended. All devices are real, the signals are switched to them in accordance with a given interval.
In the province of Krabi (Thailand), traffic lights are decorated with sculptures of primitive people, eagles, elephants, saber-toothed tigers. According to the creators, these pedestals should remind residents of the ancient history of the city.
In Russia, traffic light monuments are installed in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Penza and Perm. The latter is a real rarity, and it is quite viable. The device honestly worked for several decades and was immortalized for a long memory on International Traffic Light Day in 2010.
Holiday traditions
August 5 is a great occasion to remind motorists and pedestrians of the need to comply with traffic rules. On this day, traffic police officers and activists organize raids and carry out explanatory work with the population. Particular attention is paid to the younger generation. Educational institutions coincide with a significant date thematic exhibitions, theatrical performances, and game programs.
International traffic light day in 2017 was no exception. In summer camps, houses of culture and children's libraries, quizzes on knowledge of traffic rules, contests of drawings and crafts, lessons with the heroes of famous fairy tales, relay races were held. The main goal of these events is to prepare students for the new school year. Indeed, during the summer holidays, many of them wean from heavy traffic on the streets of the city, become inattentive.
International Day of Traffic Light in Kindergarten
In preschool institutions, the study of traffic rules is also included in the educational program. From the age of three, kids are taught to walk along the sidewalk, and not along the roadway. During various games, children remember the meaning of traffic signals. Starting from the older group of kindergarten, children are introduced to road signs.
On the International Day of Traffic Light, a holiday is traditionally arranged. During it, children are offered:
- guess themed puzzles;
- build a street model using toys;
- to solve the problem situations that occurred during the passage of the carriageway of fairy-tale heroes;
- watch a puppet show about behavior at the crossroads;
- Take part in outdoor games using road signs.
Kids really like to try on the roles of drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, in many kindergartens, special platforms with road markings are made, on which story-role games are arranged. Young motorists drive bicycles or scooters, focusing on traffic signals and mock signs. Little pedestrians teach dolls and bears to cross the street correctly.
Memo to parents
International traffic light day is an occasion to once again talk with children about behavior on the road. Teach them to avoid typical “traps” for pedestrians by following these guidelines:
- The road goes along the zebra to the green light. Before driving, make sure that all vehicles have stopped.
- Never cross the road, even if you are in a hurry.
- When you get off at the bus stop, take your time to cross the roadway. Go to the nearest pedestrian crossing.
- Because of fences, bushes, arches, standing cars, another car can always suddenly leave.
- You must be careful not only at a busy intersection, but also in the courtyard.
International traffic light day is a holiday designed to remind both drivers and pedestrians of the need to be careful on the roads. Scrupulously following traffic rules, we save the lives of ourselves and the people around us.