In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

Just why do you suppose we have street lights?

But we have too many lights were no one is using them.

Therein lies one of my concerns, Ed: I fear for the day when
like-minded folks gain control of such things. The decision by the
Ministry of Overnight Lighting to force private consumers into darkness
(among many, other things) would be a terrible thing.

Look at the empty parking lots and building that
are well lit at midnight.

Have you considered WHY they are empty? One reason they are empty is
BECAUSE they are illuminated.

Every time I'm in a plane landing at night,
I just marvel at the waste of electricity.

That is a ridiculous statement, but I'll leave the ridicule to other,
ahem enlightened persons. If you wish to save energy or, amazingly,
the planet, take the train or stay home.

The next time you are in a plane landing at night, advise the Captain
that you'd like the airport to turn off their lights to save energy.
Better yet, make the flight on ONE engine. Sheesh!

Motion detectors would make sense, At least reduced lighting in many places.

A long time ago, SOME of us learned that constantly turning-on and
turning-off a lamp was usually more expensive than leaving it on. This
hasn't changed.

Completely disregarding actual CO$T, virtually anything is possible and
considered by too many to be worthwhile.

As kids, playing outdoors at dusk, one of us was the "winner" if we were
the first to call out "street light" when it came on. The advantages of
turning-off public lighting during daytime hours are well known. The
advantages of turning-ON such lighting after dark are likewise well
known, at least by those with half a brain.

Switching on-and-off overnight lighting with each passing vehicle or at
the whim of the public with a mere phone call is folly.

Parking lot operators are driven by cost, just like any other business.
When it is clear there is money to be SAVED (overall) by keeping their
property in the dark overnight, it will happen on its own. I rue the
day when it is mandated by government.
--

JR