I pass by lamp posts on the street and they turn off, and on sometimes. Does anybody have an explanation?

Question

It happened, probably more than 15 times already. At first, I didn't pay attention to it. But it came to a point when I was actually expecting the light to turn off everytime that I had to look at the light and it would turn off just as soon as I looked at it! It's kind of creepy. I keep on imagining things that might be a reason for it. They're kinda funny but I can't help myself!

Answer 1

well, regina, in case you aren't playing with dumbledore's deluminator and you've passed the doubting/coincidence tests, you might be one of those who's bio-energetic fields interfere with electric fields.

it is known to happen sometimes - even tho' 'scientists' don't believe it.

i doubt you'll find an accurate explanation, as these cases are not registered or studied - they are just laughed at and covered with ridicule.

my best advice - do not share your future similar experiences with your distrustful friends and try to accept it. it won't be creepy, as you'll see it won't hurt you.

keep yourself away from your electronics, however, while having intense feelings - they might severily bungle.

Answer 2

This has happened a lot with me, too. My best friend was driving through the park once and she was pissed off beyond belief about something, and every single lamp post she drove past turned off. As far as paranormal explanation goes..I think it may have something to do w/ energy interference..the more energy around you the more it reacts w/ other objects w/ energy..kinda makes sense, kinda doesn't..but then again that's the mystery of it ;)

Answer 3

This is not a unique phenomenon, and it is not completely explained.  Most skeptics will blame this on random cycling of the lights and selective memory.  That may be true in some (or even many) cases, but there are some examples where it seems that this phenomenon is more than coincidence.

The phenomenon is called SLI or Street Light Interference, and, for some people who experience it, Street Lights are not the only electrical items affected.

If you happen to notice that one or two streetlights just seem to go out or come on when you pass them, it's likely coincidence.  If you notice that, on certain nights, nearly every street light you approach goes out, or if you notice that they go out as you approach them and come back on when you move away, it is very unlikely that the phenomenon is purely due to chance.  Take a look at the links below for more information and a video.

Answer 4

hey you think that's something?  i can make the sun set and rise just by concentrating really hard and willing it to happen.  it might take as long as 15 hours of concentrating before it finally happens but hey it always works eventually.  ive been doing every day my entire life and never failed even once!

Answer 5

hi

wow, i just posted the same thing couple of days ago...it is a phenomenon called SLIder street light interferrence....it does happen to alot of people, specially when your energy is high, say with anxiety, being angry, excited...its not paranormal... i noticed it when i used to drive home at night many years ago, and the same light would blow out everytime i drove under it..but i never gave it any thought...then in 2002 i went through a real stressful period.. i had found this little secret location, in a valley it was to be turned into a beautiful home estate, there were streets already made with street lights and a beautiful lake with lights all around it..but no homes were built yet...so i would go down there with friends and this is when it really took off.. where ever i walked id notice the street lights starting to flicker, i became so amused with it, .. i would turn up in my car and park opposite the lights and show my friends that the lights were normal, then id tell them to watch, as i got out of the car and stand under the lights they would start to flicker, within seconds, the longer i stood under them, the more they flickered, we tryed out every light in the valley, and it happened every single time, but when someone else stood under them, nothing...for months i would go down there with so many of my friends, itr was really amusing, sometimes even the sprinklers would turn on then off then on...i used to think it just happened there, but i was wrong, i started trying it in different locations and yep sure enough it happened everywhere i went....depending on my energy, sometimes the flickers would look like lightening they became very intense...it happened once at my sisters place, i was angry about something she was in bed upstairs and while i was standing on the stair case half way up, the lights in the stair well and the bottom lights all started to flicker real hard, she got scared and told me to leave...in another house, one night i was in the bedroom leaving to go out, the light flicked on and off, then as i walked into the kitchen that light flickered on and off, then same thing in the lounge, and then finally the last one happened on the front verander, as i was leaving.....so yeah it does happen, on depending on your energy...ive demonstated it to just about everyone i know...it really is amusing and nothing to be scared of....these days im much more relaxed, and hadnt done it for a while...and then the other night i thought id go for a walk just to see if it still happens, and sure enough it did, not as intense, as im more relaxed, i walked down the whole street, it wont happen if i quickly walk under them, but if i stop it will start to flicker within seconds, i tryed it with every single light....the good thing is i can demonstrate it to anyone, and they find it quite amusing as well.....take note of your inner feelings, your energy, if you feel your energy is high, go and stand under one and see if it reacts to you... if you want to find more information on this...look up

SLIder phenomenon

i couldnt believe when i came across it by accident, i thought my goodness its actually a phenomenon and it has a name, and it happens to alot of people.....i suggest you go out and experiment with it, its fun

Answer 6

This was just recently asked, and I bet there are plenty more questions asked about this that you can find using the search feature.

In short, this is not paranormal. Street lamps in general tend to flicker. If you watch any one long enough, there is a good chance that it will flicker or blink. Your experiences are explained by chance, coincidence and confirmation bias.

Answer 7

There is either a loose connection in it or the ballast in it is going bad or the lamp itself. Dont think that you are experiencing paranormal activity.

Answer 8

it just seems that way,they are really on photo cells,or dusk to dawn sensers that go bad,most of the time they get water in them....

Answer 9

Maybe instead of thinking of it turning on and off, you should think of it blowing a fuse.

See what happens

d**n that would be scary!!

Answer 10

Some lights flicker and turn on and off whether you are there or not.  Also, you say it only happens sometimes.  Well, when it happens every time (i.e. with predictability and repeatability) then you might be on to something.

Answer 11

Yes, the lamps are set to go off and on as a means of saving electrical energy.  Its not paranormal.  Are you?

Answer 12

It could possibly be SLI. Look for kel333's question about this...and also google SLI. You should get lots of info there. There is a group that is studying it. Then again..it might just be the sensor and timer...they might be set in reverse. (just  a personal note...My dog Sweetie who died in July used to love to "turn the (sensor) lights on" every night for me. You just reminded me of that...no connection.)

EDIT...Flouride....I bet you have a BIG HEADACHE !!!

EDIT.."mark"...if that's true...how come it happens to 333...but not to her friends?????

Answer 13

Sometimes I think it is just a coincidence, but there have been times where it happens to me too often to be coincidental. Pay attention to what you are thinking about and how  you feel when it happens or what you were thinking and feeling right before it happened.