The history of traffic lights in the UK began in 1868, when London saw the installation of the first system designed to regulate traffic. The signals, created by engineer John Peake Knight, were powered by gas lamps and had a basic red and green setup. Positioned outside the Houses of Parliament, the system was manually operated by police officers who controlled the traffic flow. However, this early version was short-lived, lasting only a month before a gas explosion led to its removal.
The introduction of electric traffic lights in the early 20th century marked the next significant advancement. Inspired by the electric signal system developed in the United States, the first electric traffic lights were installed in London in 1925, at St James’s Street and Piccadilly Circus. These new signals operated with red and green lights, though they still lacked the amber light, which would later become essential for safety.
By the 1930s, the amber light was introduced, improving the transition between red and green and enhancing overall traffic flow. As the number of vehicles on the roads grew, traffic systems evolved with the addition of automatic control mechanisms. By the 1950s and 1960s, systems linked to central traffic management had been implemented, allowing for more efficient control. Today as a driving instructor around Thatcham, UK traffic lights are equipped with technology and sensors to regulate traffic effectively, ensuring the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.