What are the little grey boxes on top of street lights?

Question

I was driving through an intersection, and I felt a bad pinch in my back, a really bad one. It caused me to -slowly- drive into the other lane, and back. Cause the pain was so bad. Thankfully, it was 3am and no one was on the road. But, I don't want to get caught for poor driving. I thought I was ok, but I remembered at each light, there are those little grey boxes, cameras probably, that point down at the road. What are those? Are they cameras? It's not the red light cameras, because those look a lot bigger and are marked.

Answer 1

Yes, I think that might be red light camera, and in NYC, there are street cameras, well as red light camera install because in NY, drivers are impatient and often run over on red light.

Answer 2

oh the grey boxes??

Ants sleep up there at night or wen its cold

Answer 3

it's big brother...

Answer 4

All right, heres the real answer, rather then the consiracy theories.  They are motion sensors that change the light.  In warmer states that sensors are buried in the street, but in colder climates they are mounted on top of the lights.  Additionally, some larger cities have sensors that pick up a signal from police and fire engines that change the traffic lights as they approach.  There are traffic cameras out there, but they are usually readily identifieable as cameras (The city isnt going to pay for that many mini cams).

Answer 5

Yes, probably a camera.

Answer 6

They are daylight sensors that turn the lights on at sunset and off at sunrise.

Answer 7

I know we have the same thing here in Ohio where I live.......They are called Opticagon's.......they are to Trip the Light for All Emergency Vehicle's.........If you look at the front of Emergency Vehicle's they will have a Light that is running like a Bobble Head and that is what triggers these Opticagon's to work.

Answer 8

its big brother/ or the patriot act in affect....

Answer 9

depends where u live...i think there just dusk/dawn photo sensors