Global use of traffic lights

Traffic lights are used everywhere for the same basic purpose to keep roads safe and organized.

However their use is not the same in every country. Sometimes the difference comes from laws and sometimes it is due to local traditions and interesting stories.

• Japan’s unique traffic system

Japan is a unique example. In some places traffic lights appear blue instead of green.  But Japan has an even more unusual case on one of its islands.

• A very unusual traffic signal

On Himakajima, most areas do not have traffic lights at all. There is only one traffic signal located near the eastern harbor. What’s surprising is that this signal stays red almost all year.

• Used for training not traffic

This traffic light is not meant to control traffic. Instead it is used for training.

Only once a year the green light is turned on to teach local people when to stop and when to go.

• Why it works this way

The island is very small less than one square kilometer in size and has a population of around 2,000 people.

There are very few roads and vehicles so traffic signals are not really needed.

•Purpose behind this idea

The main goal of this single signal is to help residents learn basic traffic rules.

This way when they visit bigger cities they can understand traffic signals easily and stay safe.