In addition, this waste also means that we are burning a significant amount of coal and oil for no useful purpose, producing more waste and contributing to air pollution and water pollution as well. These effects are not negligible. Neither is the fact that the glare and confusion and clutter caused by the bad lighting are definite factors in accidents and losses caused by such. These also cost the nation too much in money and pain. Light trespass is a serious complaint by many who live near these poor lights.
Vandalism is a problem, too.
Shooting out the lights kills the glare and stops light pollution, but it is not a real solution to the problem. Another factor with mercury lamps is the lumen depreciation of the lamp. In five years or so the light output is down by a factor of two. Another five years, down by another factor of two. A mercury lamp never really burns out, it just gets fainter and fainter, using the same amount of energy to produce less light.