Society Journal

Many cities and towns are now using solar powered street and traffic signs to help alert distracted drivers to what is coming up ahead before it is too late and an accident occurs. Even beach communities, where there is no wall separating the beach from the roadway, make good use of solar panel signs and they may have fun with them by making signs that say something like “beach blankets ahead” which would certainly grab the attention of drivers as they pass by.

Solar powered stop signs and other traffic signs use LED flashing lights to attract drivers to the signs so they may heed the warnings and do as a sign tells them before it is too late.

Solar power installation of traffic signs is similar to regular traffic signs; however most solar powered signs should be installed near direct sunlight although they have been known to work under trees and through cloudy days.

A recent study conducted by several of the major insurance companies of America concluded that the number one distraction a driver experiences is not cell phone use as one would expect, cell phone use came in second; the number one distraction was eating while driving.  Many states across the country have banned cell phone use while driving which means a driver must pullover if they need to use their cell phone if they are in their vehicle.

There are a number of reasons to use solar powered traffic signs besides the fact that they save energy, money and lives.  The solar powered traffic signs save energy by using the sun’s power to generate the three or four flashing LED lights that surround the words on the sign to help people pay attention to what’s coming up ahead in the road.  This also saves lives because the less distracted a driver is, the fewer accidents there are.  And solar powered traffic signs save money by using the sun’s energy rather than costly electricity or gas powered generators.  Solar powered signs also create jobs for solar panel installers which are becoming increasingly in demand as more and more states and communities discover the benefits of solar powered traffic signs.