Pooch pee blamed for traffic light pole collapse in central Japan

[ad_1]

The traffic light pole that collapsed in February can be seen in this photo provided by Mie Prefectural Police.

TSU – Police here have concluded dog urine was the likely culprit behind the collapse of a traffic light pole, which was found broken from its base in February after 23 years of use, despite its duration expected life of 50 years.

According to the Mie Prefectural Police, the traffic light was installed at a crossroads in the Sakurajimacho district of the Suzuka Prefectural City in 1997. It was found collapsed on bushes in a nearby parking lot on the morning of February 18 this year. year. No one was injured during the accident. There was apparently no problem with the quality and installation of the station.

The Mie Prefectural Police Forensic Lab found about 40 times the urea concentration at the bottom of the pole compared to other traffic light poles that had been installed around the same time. Police believe it’s highly possible that the urea and salt in dog urine eroded the 6.5-meter-high steel pole.

The bottom of the traffic light pole that collapsed in February is visible. (Photo courtesy of Mie Prefectural Police)

The site is part of a popular route for people walking their dogs. The pole has been replaced with a new one, but police have already confirmed that some dogs pee on the newly installed pole. Police are taking steps to prevent a recurrence, such as making sure liquid cannot pool at the bottom of the post.

The prefectural police traffic regulation division pointed out, “The site is along a commuting route for a nearby elementary school, and it may have caused an accident during the commute time. They added: “If they are urinated for many years, traffic lights, which are public buildings, can erode and collapse. We would like to ask dog owners to be aware and take action. as a result, for example by excreting their animals at home. ”

(Japanese original by Yuka Asahina, Tsu Bureau)

[ad_2]