Europe
In European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light, a flashing amber arrow with a red light or a permanent green board next to the red light.
In Poland, right turns on red are permitted, after a complete stop, when a specific sign is present.
In Germany, right turns on red are permitted, after a complete stop, when a specific sign is present. This rule was first introduced in 1978 in East Germany and was originally supposed to become obsolete together with the East German highway code by the end of 1990, following German reunification. However, authorities were unable to remove the signs in time, and public opinion caused them to leave the regulation unchanged, even extending its scope to the former areas of West Germany in 1994. By 1999, there were 300 turn-on-red intersections in West Germany while East Germany featured 2,500; the numbers in West Germany have risen considerably since then, though, and as of 2002 a total of 5,000 turn-on-red intersections were counted, with 48% in West Germany.
In Russia, which drives on the right as do most countries in Europe, turns on red are prohibited unless a separate arrow-shaped green light allows it; drivers must give way to any vehicle coming from a different direction. When the arrow is not lit, turns in any directions are permitted on the main green light unless its prohibited by roadsigns.
In the Netherlands, bicycles are occasionally allowed to turn right on a red light. Wherever this is the case, a sign "rechtsaf voor fietsers vrij" (right turn free for cyclists) or "rechtsaf voor (brom)fietsers vrij" (right turn free for cyclists and mopeds) is present. In practice, especially in large cities such as Amsterdam, cyclists rarely stop for traffic lights on right turns even if there is no sign.
In France right turn on red without stop is allowed when a separate arrow-shaped yellow light is flashing, but this color means drivers do not have priority. They must check if any pedestrian is crossing before turning and must give way to possible vehicle coming from another way.
Like in the Netherlands, France has a road sign that allows cyclists to turn right on a red light.
In 2011, the Belgian Parliament considered erecting road signs that would allow cyclists to turn right on a red light.
In the United Kingdom, left turn on red is generally prohibited, but at some junctions there is a separate arrow-shaped green light which, when lit, allows left-hand turns.
Read more about this topic: Right Turn On Red
Famous quotes containing the word europe:
“That land is like an Eagle, whose young gaze
Feeds on the noontide beam, whose golden plume
Floats moveless on the storm, and in the blaze
Of sunrise gleams when Earth is wrapped in gloom;
An epitaph of glory for the tomb
Of murdered Europe may thy fame be made,
Great People! as the sands shalt thou become;
Thy growth is swift as morn, when night must fade;
The multitudinous Earth shall sleep beneath thy shade.”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
“You can always tell a Midwestern couple in Europe because they will be standing in the middle of a busy intersection looking at a wind-blown map and arguing over which way is west. European cities, with their wandering streets and undisciplined alleys, drive Midwesterners practically insane.”
—Bill Bryson (b. 1951)
“The Cold War began with the division of Europe. It can only end when Europe is whole.”
—George Bush (b. 1924)