As of: March 17, 2024, 9:45 p.m
By: Kai Hartwig
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You are not allowed to drive through a traffic light when it is red.
But what if it also shows green?
You shouldn't just drive off - otherwise it can be expensive.
Kassel – An old saying that is intended to explain traffic rules to children says: “When the light is red you stop, but when it is green you can leave!” It also applies to drivers that you have to stop at a red light.
Only when this turns green can you continue driving.
But what do you do when the two traffic light colors light up at the same time?
This question was raised by a Reddit user who had apparently experienced exactly this situation in traffic.
The traffic light is red and green at the same time - the driver doesn't know what to do next: "What next?"
He posted a photo of the incident on the social news aggregator.
It showed a traffic light with both the red light at the top and the green light at the bottom.
Several cars were on the street.
It's possible that the drivers were all asking themselves the question that the Reddit user put in his post: "What now?"
Whether the photo is fake or not cannot be said with absolute certainty.
At first glance, however, it seemed as if the case surrounding the red-green traffic light had happened as shown in the picture.
Several Reddit users speculated in the comments how one should behave in such a traffic situation.
“Pay attention to traffic and pedestrians, if nothing endangers you, cross carefully, I would say,” said one user.
“If the traffic light is broken, the sign applies, if there is no sign, the right goes before the left.
“You should know him from driving school, right?” wrote another.
As does the meaning of traffic signs.
He received a critical response from another user: “I find it a difficult tip.
What if the cross traffic light isn't broken and just happens to signal 'free travel'?” He had the right nose when it came to applicable traffic law.
Because if the traffic light is broken and constantly shows red, drivers shouldn't just drive off.
Otherwise it can be expensive.
Drivers should also know about a new sign with a green arrow at the traffic lights.
Permanently red when the traffic light is broken: How to behave correctly as a driver
The Ergo insurance company advises on this on its homepage: “In the event of a defect, it can happen that the traffic light is permanently red.
Of course, you can't be expected to wait at the traffic lights forever.
After a certain period of time, you are actually allowed to enter the intersection despite the red light.
But don't be too impatient.
Depending on the traffic and the circuit, it can take a few minutes before the traffic light changes normally and you can accelerate again." It goes on to say: "To be on the safe side, you should wait at least five minutes."
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This traffic light apparently had a defect - it showed red and green at the same time.
© Jörg Carstensen/dpa/Screenshot/Reddit.com
The ADAC also recommends in the case of a defective traffic light: “If the traffic light is defective and does not turn green even after a reasonable waiting period of at least five minutes, you are allowed to continue driving - but only with the greatest caution and under constant observation of the flowing traffic.” Several Court rulings had established this period as a reasonable waiting period.
The Hamburg Higher Regional Court ruled in a case in September 2023 that a waiting time of five minutes can be sufficient.
A driver had lodged a complaint against a fine that had been imposed.
Driving through a red light costs up to 388.50 euros in fines - drivers are also threatened with a driving ban and points
A red light violation at a traffic light can cost drivers dearly - as can a new double penalty.
A distinction is made between two different types of offense.
According to Section 37 Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO), a simple red light violation occurs if the traffic light has shown red for a maximum of one second.
If the traffic light has been red for longer than a second, a qualified red light violation has been committed.
According to bussgeldkatalog.org
, a simple red light violation costs
118.50 euros and one point in Flensburg.
The fine and points increase if there is additional danger (228.50 euros and two points) or the result of an accident (268.50 euros and two points), and there is also a one-month driving ban.
A qualified red violation generally results in a driving ban for one month and two points in Flensburg.
A fine of 228.50 euros must also be paid.
If there is also a risk (348.50 euros) or a consequence of an accident (388.50 euros), it becomes even more expensive.
(kh)