Quote:
Originally Posted by 5ash
When I was a kid in the UK street lights went out at 12pm except on major roads. I believe the same thing happened here in some states. Would make sense to save energy and as far as security goes everyone can see someone upto no good carrying a torch when every thing is dark and it's late.that way we could have dark skies in our gardens without attacking the street lights.
Philip  |
I remember reading in Sky and Telescope a few years ago about a campaign to have the lights turned off late at night due to an observatory being close by and in that article it stated that once lights were turned the crime rate actually dropped. Unfortunately, the article didn't state what town, from memory, but it makes some sense.
Think of Watergate. If the burglars in the Watergate building had turned the lights on, nobody would have noticed, but, they "did notice" some people poking around an office using torches, particularly since many other lights were on in the building.
I have always been of the opinion that leaving lights on just allows miscreants to see where they are going and what they can steal.
When I was young lights were turned out after 1am and at the moment our energy provider has ads on TV telling us to switch off during peak times, so why doesn't the government heed the same advise?
Our rates pay to leave street lights on, and this cost is rising, yet take a drive after 1pm in suburban Perth and you will see little traffic. Its a waste of money and energy. Dolt, they leave lights on so that they can make money! After all, how is the energy providing going to make lots of money when we are all asleep? Oh, I am definitely a cynic!
