# Why do stree lights go out randomly, and what is the star? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 17, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905 "2014-11-17T22:23:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/21 "2014-11-19T02:51:28Z")
A star? Well, in a particular state or community in the U.S. it means one thing; in another state or community it means something else. Of course in Oz it can mean yet another thing, while in some towns in Germany it means something else. Meanwhile, in Bolivia . . . ---
**Author:** ![EdwinAmi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5fc32e/32.png) [@EdwinAmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwinAmi)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/22 "2014-11-19T02:54:52Z")
Oh my god I SO believe the streetlight thing! I’ll bet is peole walking causing a vibration or something like that. One of those things that someone eventually discovers years later. That is so great. I love stuff like that that is sort of on the edge of truth/reality, like ball lightning. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/23 "2014-11-19T06:37:10Z")
Some signs may indicate a route to the nearest ER; some may get plowed; some may be subject to parking restrictions. Pick one! C’on Dopers! How many different things could a special mark on a street sign mean? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/24 "2014-11-19T19:27:09Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > C’on Dopers! How many different things could a special mark on a street sign mean? Historic street Snow clearance priority Nuclear evacuation route School bus route Special honor to street namesake Public street _vs_ dedicated street _vs_ private street Street with reservoir for fire tank truck (exurban and rural) . . . How many more do you want? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/25 "2014-11-19T22:16:32Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > As a kid we would kick the street light pole hard and the light would go out for a few minutes. So I guess vibration caused some sort of temporary problem. When I was a kid, the street lights on Main Street had two wires running between them so we would grab the guy wire at the end and start shaking it to get those two wires to cross and short out all the streetlights on one side of the block. Then they got smart and put in a single wire and ruined our fun. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vegetable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Space\_Vegetable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vegetable)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/26 "2014-11-20T05:48:38Z")
The star after the street name indicates a footnote. Reading it sometimes requires a bit of effort. Remember to wear ear protection when using the jackhammer. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905/27 "2014-11-20T10:57:27Z")
> [@Space\_Vegetable](#): > > The star after the street name indicates a footnote. Reading it sometimes requires a bit of effort. Remember to wear ear protection when using the jackhammer. LOL [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-stree-lights-go-out-randomly-and-what-is-the-star/704905.md?page=1)