Why were traffic lights invented?

Answer

Because, as roads got busier with automobiles, the number of accidents at intersections increased and the number of policemen required to direct traffic at each junction became economically unviable.

An automated system - first gas-powered and consisting of an arm with "stop" on it dropping down later changed to electric and later still to multi-color lights - saved money in wages, cut the number of accidents and allowed for the steady increase in cars.

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