Does this happen to you?

Ferris

It's called being a "SLI-der"

Here is an article on this supposed phenomenon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference

DixeVil

Yes. I have had this happen. The only explanation I can think of is it's because they are on a light sensor type thing to make them go off and on automatically according to the amount of light and the light from the headlights on my car shine on them---thus making them go off. It gives you kind of a weird feeling though.

cadisneygirl

It happens to me too, lol and its good to know I am not crazy. Does anyone know why????????

Alyssa

yes that is very odd it happens to me all the time

VICTOR C

yes......lol

Ghastly Duchess

It has happened before. It's very creepy when it does happen though....eep!

YY4Me

I was walking to the supermarket a few weeks ago, and a group of lights went out as I passed. It's an eerie feeling, but there's nothing supernatural about it.

There's an explanation at The Straight Dope:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_047.html
Excerpt:
When the sodium vapor bulbs commonly used in streetlights start to go bad, they "cycle"--go on and off repeatedly. Cecil is having a hard time getting the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board to agree on what happens, but apparently the bulb overheats, goes out, cools down, then relights. If you're walking past when this happens and you're the neurotic type, you think it's your fault. This surely accounts for most of the reports we have gotten about this over the years.

Rahouel

Yes, most street lights have sensors that turn them on at dusk and off at dawn. A cars head lights can cause this sensor to think the sun is rising and turn the light off. But I'm sure their are other reasons too. (music from twilight zone playing)

Anya

OH MY GOD!!!! YOU TOO!!!! I have been experiencing this for some years now and its like flourescent light and security lights etc. I go past an the go very dim! Can't be just coincidence!

hazbob43

Yea it happens all the time and I drive for a living, I had to find out why and did. if you notice they go out then go back on this is due to them overheating.

Gone By Dawn

Yes they do! At first I thought it was because I was special or something, but then I realized that the true reason was because one of my headlights was angled wrong and hitting the day/night sensor on the light. But it felt good being special for a while! Didn't it. FYI a little trick while sitting first at a stop light after dark. Some stop lights have the same sensor on them so if you are at a red light, hit your lights on bright and back to dim, and the red will turn green if they are sensor lights.

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