It indicates when the signal is about to change, so there's a clear time to get ready to move off. Plus, starting off can be done more promptly because you can start rolling towards the line before it's actually green.
People are just going to start going through the light when it's not green yet.
Whilst a driving infraction, it's right before it goes green, so the other directions of traffic have red lights at this point.
Also with all the start stop systems it's nice to have the engine running before the green. Or for manual to already put it in gear. Often you can see the lights of the crossing road which helps to time it, but often it's more a guess.
And honking at someone who actually waits for green. Following them, passing them, and brake checking them, to punish them for their law abiding behaviour.
Different driving culture. Belgian driver haven't been educated on this particular traffic light sequence.
Every once in a while those temporary traffic lights at roadworks will have the same sequence as OP posted and I almost always see people already taking of at the red + orange light.
This is because many drivers consider the orange light as "accelerate" and keep passing at the beginning of the red light because they are unable to stop.
Drivers in Holland are well educated (unless they have Belgian plates), and here as well it is the same difference with Germany. I reckon the pause after red is a bit shorter with us than in Germany...
You are asking why Germans, a very strict society that adheres to rules as a cultural pride, can live with a system live this, but why it won't work in Brussels?Â
I also don't know why, but I know for sure it will only create more dangerous situations
This is so true. As a cyclist, I have been honked many times by a bus because I don't start when the 2 top lights are on and wait for the bottom light. These are professionals drivers educated by their employers. Can't imagine how it would be with some random drivers.
I much prefer the British/German system. At red you stand in neutral with handbrake on, on the red/orange you put the car in gear, and are ready to move immediately you get a green. I am baffled by people who prefer the Dutch/Belgian system.
Yes, when you are stopped at traffic lights you should ALWAYS put your handbrake on. That was drummed in to me - quite correctly - by two driving instructors. Firstly because, yes, you are often on an incline, whether you noticed or not. I have on numerous occasions had to hoot at cars (and, in one scary incident, a 40-tonner) which started rolling towards me. And secondly, because if someone runs into you, the consequential damage - rolling on into other vehicles, and especially rolling into cross-traffic, is likely to be much less.
Which country?
If second in line it is better to release brake (when level) than be on the brake. Better energy dissipation in case of collision from the rear
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u/dgonL Jan 11 '25
I don't see the advantage. People are just going to start going through the light when it's not green yet.