Red traffic light: Many drivers make this annoying mistake

Created: 08/03/2022 11:34 am

By: Marcus Efler

Red traffic lights are part of everyday driving, but they can also be annoying.

Especially when motorists make this common mistake.

Germany is a traffic light nation.

Not only because of the red-yellow-green coalition in the federal government, but actually also in road traffic.

While other countries often use roundabouts at crossings, people in this country love their “light signal systems”, as they are officially called.

There are said to be around 1.5 million nationwide, they cause quite a few traffic violations (which can recently become particularly expensive for SUV drivers).

Red traffic light: Many drivers make this annoying mistake

They sort and slow down urban commuter traffic in particular.

At the same time, a widespread bad habit among many motorists ensures that they slow down the flow of traffic even more than is necessary: ​​waiting for the green to appear long before the stop line.

Sometimes half a meter, sometimes even several meters in front of the white line, the first vehicle in the rapidly forming sheet metal line stops.

The logical consequence: if the traffic light first changes to red and yellow and shortly afterwards to green, it takes correspondingly longer for the car in pole position to cross the line.

One fewer of the following may then make the trip across the intersection.

Especially in rush hour, the typical red light error causes even more delays.

(Iconic image) © Christoph Hardt/Geisler-Fotopress/dpa

Red traffic light: That's why you should always drive up to the stop line

Especially in the rush hour, this hesitancy increases the traffic's hesitation.

But it can also have another consequence: namely that the traffic light stays red and nothing works anymore.

Although you can usually assume that the system is defective after about three minutes and drive carefully, the excuse does not apply in this case.

Because the reason for the permanent red is cast in the asphalt: a contact loop.

Installed directly at the white stop line, it recognizes a car or motorcycle and sooner or later switches the traffic light to green.

However, only if the vehicle is really above her.

So right in front of the stop line.

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Red traffic light: There are mostly induction loops here

At large intersections, even a traffic light equipped with an induction loop will almost certainly show green at some point, at least during the day, with or without sheet metal contact.

But at junctions from a side street to a main street, or at facilities with permanent pedestrian priority, it simply does not and will not turn green if the vehicle leaves too much respectful distance.

It doesn't matter whether it's because the driver misjudges the distance or is simply too comfortable for a precise stop.

Therefore: Always roll consciously and in a controlled manner to the line.