When the traffic light turns green, this means you may start driving. There's a good chance you'll do this too, often without paying further attention. Only "green is right of way" is a big misconception in traffic.
Traffic awareness is extremely important and it goes further than just following the rules. Traffic awareness mainly includes anticipating the environment
The most common danger signs Danger signs have a very recognizable shape. The signs look like a white triangle with a thick red border. These signs
When the traffic light turns green, this means you may start driving. There's a good chance you'll do this too, often without paying further attention. Only "green is right of way" is a big misconception in traffic. Often green indeed means right of way, but there are a number of situations where this is not the case. Read in this blog about these situations and how you can prevent mistakes.
You probably hear it more often around you, from your parents, friends or your driving instructor, but you must always keep paying attention. Does the traffic light turn green? Then it's not a good idea to just drive through blindly, without looking first. Before you cross somewhere, always look left or right first. Although traffic lights generally ensure safety, they also cause dangerous situations, because drivers assume that they always have right of way at green light. This can lead to dangerous situations, for example when a fire truck or ambulance has to pass urgently. In 2022 and 2023, this type of situation with priority vehicles led to 70 accidents. It can also be that someone else just drives through red. Although you're not at fault then, you can prevent serious traffic accidents by paying attention.
Don't just look left and right, but also look what's coming toward you. At some intersections you have traffic lights without directional arrows. Here it can be that you both have green light at the same time, but want to go in a different direction where you're in each other's way. When oncoming traffic wants to go straight when you want to turn left, you'll naturally get a collision if you both drive through. So pay attention at these traffic lights: straight ahead on the same road goes first. Also pay attention here to fellow road users, such as cyclists, scooters and trams. These also have right of way when the traffic light turns green and can be in your blind spot, making them not noticeable. So think about your mirrors and also look over your shoulder. Through defensive driving you can often prevent many accidents.
You may have experienced it. You've been waiting for a traffic light for a while and it turns red again very quickly. This can be because drivers don't join up, causing sensors in the road to think there's a short line. What unfortunately also often happens is that people don't pay attention. They're then busy with their phone or with other things, so no one drives through. So only a few people can drive through and the other traffic gets green faster. It's important here that you keep paying attention to the traffic light, the traffic light can be on green shorter than you expect.
What is very important at traffic lights is stopping at the stop line. When you stop behind the stop line, you have enough overview of the intersection and can still see the traffic light well. You can clearly see what's coming from left, right and straight ahead. Wait behind the line until you're actually sure you can drive through. If you don't do this, you may hinder other traffic. That can lead to accidents or a fine.
So green doesn't mean in all situations that you have right of way. It's always important to look at the situation yourself and act when unexpected things happen. Even though you're not at fault, it's still good to pay attention, so you can prevent fatal accidents. Don't just drive through green, but always pay attention!
Is it mandatory to drive away at green light?
No, it's not mandatory to drive away at green light. There are several situations in which it's not the best choice to drive away with green light.
When may you not drive through at green light?
Green light doesn't give absolute right of way. It means driving if it's possible and safe. If there's still traffic on the intersection, for example, and you're not sure if you can safely cross, you don't have to drive.
Do you have right of way with green light?
You don't necessarily have right of way at green light. Right of way is determined by the right of way situation at an intersection.
How long does a light stay on green on average?
There are no statistics that indicate how long a light stays on green on average. This strongly depends on the traffic situation. The green light does stay green on average 30 seconds longer for cars than for cyclists.
May you drive through at green if emergency vehicles are coming?
No, during emergencies it's always important that you pull over for the emergency vehicle. Sirens always have right of way.
