When is International Traffic Light Day?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

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 International Traffic Light Day is celebrated.

History of the holiday

The "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, injuring a policeman. 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 US city of Cleveland. It had two signals - green and red. When switching, a loud sound was heard, which at first frightenedtownspeople. A significant event happened on August 5th. International Traffic Light Day was timed to coincide with this date, and since then it has been celebrated around the world for more than a hundred years. Over the past period, the devices have undergone significant changes.

Modern traffic lights

Familiar to us 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 car parks. In some cases, devices are equipped with additional sections. They depict arrows, various symbols of white and moon color.

The record for the number of signals is a traffic light in Berlin. He has thirteen. Many motorists, seeing this, fall into a stupor. Therefore, a policeman is on duty next to the device, ready to help the confused driver at any time.

Traffic lights regulate the movement of not only cars, but also trains, trams, river boats. It's hard to imagine life without them.

Traffic Light Monuments

Artists and sculptors did not ignore this wonderful device. One of the most interesting structures was created by Pierre Vivant and is located in the center of London. It is a tree, on the branches of which 75 traffic lights are suspended. All devices are real, the signals on them are switched in accordance with the specified interval.

In the province of Krabi (Thailand), traffic lights are decorated with sculpturesprimitive people, eagles, elephants, saber-toothed tigers. As conceived by the creators, these pedestals should remind residents of the ancient history of the city.

In Russia, traffic light monuments have been installed in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Penza and Perm. The latter is a real rarity, and quite viable. The device has worked faithfully for several decades and was immortalized for a long memory on International Traffic Light Day in 2010.

Holiday traditions

August 5th is a great occasion to remind motorists and pedestrians to follow the rules of the road. On this day, traffic police officers and activists organize raids, conduct explanatory work with the population. Particular attention is paid to the younger generation. Educational institutions coincide with the significant date thematic exhibitions, theatrical performances, game programs.

International Traffic Light Day 2017 was no exception. In summer camps, houses of culture and children's libraries, quizzes on knowledge of the rules of the road, competitions of drawings and crafts, lessons with heroes of famous fairy tales, and relay races were held. The main goal of these events is to prepare schoolchildren for the new academic year. After all, during the summer holidays, many of them wean from heavy traffic on the streets of the city, become inattentive.

International Day of Traffic Lights 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 on the sidewalk, not on the roadway. In the process of various games, childrenmemorize the meaning of traffic lights. Starting from the senior group of the kindergarten, the children are introduced to road signs.

The International Traffic Light Day is traditionally celebrated as a celebration. During it, children are offered:

• solve thematic riddles;
• build a street layout using toys;
• solve problem situations that arose when crossing the roadway for fairy-tale characters;
• watch a puppet show about behavior at a 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 areas with road markings are made, on which role-playing games are arranged. Young motorists drive bicycles or scooters, focusing on traffic lights and sign layouts. Little pedestrians teach dolls and bears how to cross the street.

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 pedestrian "traps" by following these rules:

1. The road is crossed over a zebra to a green light. Make sure all vehicles have stopped before driving.
2. Never run across the road, even if you are in a hurry.
3. When you get off at the bus stop, take your time to cross the road. Go to the nearest crosswalk.
4. Because of fences, bushes, arches, standing cars, another car can always unexpectedly leave.
5. You need to be careful not only at a busy intersection, but also in the courtyard of the house.

International Traffic Light Day is a holiday designed to remind both drivers and pedestrians to be careful on the roads. By scrupulously following the traffic rules, we save the lives of ourselves and the people around us.