Traffic cones

One thing I’ve noticed since being in the U.K. is the incredible number of traffic cones. There are many spots were a veritable wall of orange cones indicate road works or other traffic warnings. I’ve never seen anywhere near this density of cones anywhere else in the world.

I’ve been meaning to photograph this phenomenon for some time now, but it’s tricky getting the timing right to have the camera ready while I’m driving through traffic jams. Actually, this photo doesn’t really capture the full effect since they are only on one side of the road and there is actually a little space between the bases of the cones.

I suspect that the U.K. must have the highest number of traffic cones per capita in the world.  Looking around on the web, I’ve noticed that others have had similar observations, some even suggesting the traffic cone as the national flower.  Apparently, local councils regularly issue traffic cone amnesties for drunken revelers and students who nick the orange objects during midnight frolics.  The Duke of Wellington, in Glasgow, is hardly ever seen without his unique headgear:

Traffic cones seem to inspire humor to a surprising degree, despite the frustration they prognosticate on the motorway.  I came across a number of silly websites devoted to traffic cones during my research, but if you are interested in discovering more of the mysteries of these conical objects, The Traffic Cone Preservation Society is a good place to start.