Traffic Lights

Driving is a privilege that most adults today have. However, driving can also be very dangerous and in some cases, deadly. In busy areas such as urban cities or suburban neighborhoods, traffic lights have been implemented to encourage drivers to pay attention and be courteous to allow other people through intersections. The basic premise of traffic lights is fairly simple: green means go ahead, yellow means please slow down and red means stop. For those who choose to disobey the red lights, serious punishment may incur. In recent years, some cities have decided to implement “red light cams”, which are small cameras attached to the traffic lights at busy intersections. For those who choose to run the light, the camera snaps a picture of their license plate, and a hefty ticket is sent to the owner of the vehicle through the mail, often along with the photo of them running the light.

Of course, traffic lights also come in other varieties besides the traditional stop light. For example, large flashing arrow signs are placed on streets and highways where there is construction to alert motorists to migrate or merge into one lane. These lights are vital to ensuring that people know to move over a lane or two to prevent last minute changeovers, which can result in accidents. Other forms of traffic lights include flashing yellow lights often placed on signs, indicating things such as a sharp turn is ahead, or to watch for trucks entering the highway. All of these lights are important to the functionality and safety of our highways and inner city streets. As traffic patterns change, the lights used can be very integral in making sure that accidents are minimized and that drivers are aware of any changes that are being made or have been made recently.