British pedestrian crossings, marked by orange globes atop black and white poles (called "Belisha beacons" in honor of minister of transport, Leslie Hore-Belisha), were introduced at the end of George V's reign.

While driving through London with Queen Mary one day, the king, wishing to test one of the new crossings, ordered his chauffeur to stop the car and let him out; he returned moments later, clucking with delight. "One of my devoted subjects," he explained, "has just called me a doddering old idiot."