Traffic lights – special rules in Europe

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

A flashing green light means amber is about to come on – get ready to brake. On amber you stop, unless you are already so close that you would have to brake sharply.

On red you stop before the stop line; on amber you stop too, unless you are already so close that you can’t brake safely.

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Amber before red means stop, unless you are too close to the traffic lights to stop safely.

As in most EU countries: official sources give no different traffic light rules for Croatia.

Official sources give no special traffic light rules. Just remember that with left-hand traffic, traffic lights and turning lanes are “mirrored”.

Red and amber together – get ready to drive off; flashing amber – the junction is not controlled by traffic lights, so follow the signs.

As in most EU countries – official sources point out no particular differences in traffic lights.

A flashing green light means the light is about to turn amber. On amber you must stop, unless you are so close that stopping would require sudden braking.

As in most EU countries: official sources point out no differences in traffic lights. A bigger surprise are junctions without lights or signs – see below.

As in most EU countries – official sources point out no particular differences in traffic lights.

As in most EU countries. Remember level crossings: at a red or flashing amber light you stop before the level crossing sign and wait. A flashing red arrow only stops you if you are turning in its direction.

As in most EU countries: on red you stop, and on amber too (unless you are already so close that you can’t stop safely). Flashing amber – single or double – means: slow down, take care and let pedestrians and other vehicles pass.

Running a red light can mean a high fine and losing your licence.

Amber announces red – you stop, unless you are already too close to brake safely.

Order of the lights: green, amber, red. A green arrow lets you go in its direction even if the light next to it is red – but only if the road is clear. Flashing amber: you go if it is safe and give way to others.

As in most EU countries: official sources do not list any different rules on traffic lights for Italy.

As in most EU countries: official sources point to no differences. Emergency vehicles with sirens on may go through a red light – let them pass.

As almost everywhere in Europe: amber means the light is about to turn red and you have to stop. Running a red light means a hefty fine.

At many junctions there is a green arrow for turning right on red. How it works: first you stop at the stop line (or, if there isn’t one, before the pedestrian crossing), let pedestrians and cars pass, and only then turn.

Turning left at junctions with a separate signal: you only go when the green arrow is lit. There is no red arrow – if the green one isn’t on, you wait.

As in most EU countries – official sources don’t point to any particular differences in traffic lights.

As in most EU countries: red and amber together mean green is coming (but you still wait), amber means red is coming and also means stop.

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Amber means red is coming – except at traffic lights before bridges, level crossings and pedestrian crossings. On the motorway, a red cross above a lane means: you must not drive in this lane.

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

As in most EU countries – official sources don’t mention any particular differences in traffic lights.

A green arrow next to a red light lets you turn right, but first you must stop at the signal and give way to pedestrians and vehicles coming from other directions.

Without a green arrow you don’t turn on red. A flashing amber light means: caution, drive carefully, priority according to the signs.

Almost the same as in most EU countries. A green arrow below a red light lets you turn, but you must stop first and not get in the way of other traffic.

As in most EU countries: official sources don’t list any different traffic-light rules for Romania.

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Amber means the light is about to turn red.

Red light together with a sign allowing a right turn: you may turn right if you don’t endanger anyone. Otherwise the same rules as in most EU countries.

Almost as in most EU countries. A steady amber light means stop, unless you are already so close that braking would be dangerous. A red “X” above a lane – that lane is closed.

On amber (after green) you stop, unless you are already too close to brake safely.

Amber means red is coming and you have to stop. Fines for running a red light are very high.

Sequence: red → red and amber together → green → amber → red. You don’t turn on red – you go only when a green arrow lights up.