Why Do Some Places in Scotland Have Blue Street Lights?

August 26, 2023

If you ever visit Glasgow, Scotland, you might notice something unusual about the street lights. Some of them are blue instead of the usual white or yellow. Why is that? Is it just a design choice or does it have a deeper meaning?

The answer is not very clear, but there are some theories and evidence that suggest that blue street lights have some benefits for the city and its residents. Here are some of the possible reasons why some places in Scotland have blue street lights:

To improve the city`s landscape and appearance: According to a public website1, blue street lights were installed on Buchanan Street in Glasgow in 1999 to improve the city`s landscape. The blue color was chosen to match the sky and create a contrast with the red sandstone buildings. The result was a more attractive and modern look for the city center.

To reduce crime and vandalism: Another possible reason for installing blue street lights is to deter criminals and vandals from committing illegal acts. A 2008 article from Psych Central2 reported that the number of crimes in areas illuminated by blue lights noticeably decreased after the installation. The article cited a summary of a Yomiuri Shimbun article that claimed that the Nara prefectural police in Japan also found that crime decreased by about 9 percent in blue-illuminated neighborhoods. The article suggested that blue lights might have a calming effect on agitated or impulsive people, or make them more visible and identifiable to others.

To prevent suicide attempts: A more controversial and unproven reason for using blue street lights is to prevent suicide attempts. The same article from Psych Central2 mentioned that Keihin Electric Express Railway Co. in Japan changed the color of eight lights on the ends of platforms at Gumyoji Station in Yokohama to blue in 2008. The company claimed that no suicide attempts occurred at the station since the blue lighting was introduced, while a few people attempted to commit suicide every year before. The article quoted Mizuki Takahashi of the Japan Institute of Color Psychology, who said that blue color is associated with the sky and the sea, and has a calming effect on people obsessed with suicide. However, this claim has not been scientifically verified, and other factors might have influenced the suicide rate.

As you can see, there are some possible explanations for why some places in Scotland have blue street lights, but none of them are conclusive or definitive. Blue street lights might have some positive effects on the city and its people, but they might also have some negative or neutral effects that are not yet known or measured. More research and data are needed to determine the true impact of blue street lights on human behavior and well-being.

I hope this article helps you understand why some places in Scotland have blue street lights. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know.

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