If you drive a lot, you probably think that stoplights have been around forever; or at least as long as cars have been on the road. After all, how could a busy intersection ever function with just a stop sign (and a traffic cop)? Believe it or not, cities had to function for years without a traffic light. For some living in small towns, there are no traffic lights.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the stoplight turns 100 this week. According to a USA Today.com report, the very first traffic light was installed at the corner of 105th Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1915, the industrial revolution brought a great number of people to Cleveland, and streets were reportedly crammed during certain times of the day with cars, bicycles, horses and even streetcars.
The light’s inventor reportedly wanted to install something that would help with his commute, so he designed and implemented a lighting system that had two sets of red and green lights. Of course, red told drivers to stop as crossing traffic passed by, and green told drivers to proceed.
Of course, the stoplight has evolved into the three colored traffic control equipment that we see today; and even still, some of us drive like stoplights (and stop signs) don’t exist. If you have the misfortune of being in an accident with one of these drivers, you could be awarded compensatory damages for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a crash, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.