02 March 2010

Traffic lights are called "Robots" in South Africa

Back in the (very) old days actual policemen were organising the traffic by hand signals on South Africa's roads (like anywhere else in the World). When the first electric traffic lights were introduced they replaced the traffic policeman and therefore got the name "robot policemen".

Robot down

This rather long term got shortened to "robot" over the years. So don't panic if you see the word "ROBOT" painted on a road in South Africa. It is only a sign warning you that there are traffic lights ahead!

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