Abstract: A road illumination system having sensors detecting approaching vehicles and operating thereupon and via a controller switches associated with street lights is provided herein. The system turns street lights off when no vehicles are present and spares thereby electricity. The system activates the street lights groupwise, to supply enough illumination with a minimal amount and complexity of equipment. The system further has an extended ability to identify malfunctioning and exceptional situations, in which is activates the street lights continuously. The system is a distributed wireless one, and may be configured remotely.