In the picturesque Alfama, in Lisbon, you will find a fascinating vestige of the history of road traffic : the most ancient traffic signal from Portugal. This marble plaque, installed in 1686 by order of King D. Pedro II, was a pioneering attempt to regulate traffic at a time when city streets were chaotic and often the scene of violent disputes.
In the 17th century, Lisbon was no longer a city in ebulição . The narrow streets of Alfama were crossed by cars and buses transporting men and merchants , among a multitude of peasants. The lack of clear rules for the circulation of these vehicles results in misunderstandings There is frequent violence between drivers , which includes fights and duels. Recognizing the need for order, D. Pedro II ordered the installation of 24 traffic signals were placed at strategic points in the city, which instructed drivers on which passages should be yielded.
A plaque located on Rua do Salvador , in Alfama, pode ler-se o seguinte: “Year of 1686. His Majesty orders that the cars, seges and liteiras that we see at Portaria do Salvador collect for the same party.” Ou seja, quem viesse de top perdia a priority in relation to quem subisse , specifying three types of vehicles of the period (respectively, with four wheels, with two, and without nenhuma) .
This simple instruction has a significant impact on the traffic organization of the period, preventing collisions and guaranteeing more orderly circulation. Also, drivers, lacquers and liteiros are expressly prohibited from using swords, blades or any weapon that could be used in a traffic discussion. Quem If you disobey, you would pay a 2,000 fine and face the risk of being exiled to Brazil !
Few around the world it is possible to find vestiges of primordial transit sinais, such as the Eleanor Crosses, in England, a set of 12 stone monuments ordered to be erected in 1291 by King Edward I, to mark the path of the women's funeral procession, to Rainha Eleonor. For more than 2,000 years, the Romans have used mile markers to inform the distances between various locations, allowing travelers to better control the movement along the way .
Modernity and security with Helpflash
Nowadays, more than three years after the first sinais in Lisbon , road safety is increasingly a priority in large cities and main roads. Easy to use and visible from a long distance, Helpflash is a vital tool in emergency situations. emergency , alerting other drivers to increase danger on the road. But a significant step Prevention of accidents and promotion of everyone's safety.
