Editing Traffic light (section)

== Rules ==
{{Main|Rules for traffic lights}}

[[File:Red light fine sign.jpg|thumb|[[California]] attempts to discourage red light running by posting the minimum fine.]]Traffic lights control flows of traffic using [[social norms]] and legal rules. In most jurisdictions, it is against the law to disobey traffic signals and the police, or devices such as [[red light camera]]s, can issue fines or other penalties – and in some cases prosecute – drivers who break those laws.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2021 |title=Which European country has the strictest driving penalties? |url=https://zutobi.com/uk/driving-guides/driving-penalties-and-fines-in-eu |access-date=19 December 2021 |website=Zutobi Drivers Ed |language=en-GB}}</ref> US-based studies have found that the majority of drivers think that it is dangerous to run a red light at speed and the most common reason for red light running include inattentive driving, following an oversized vehicle or during inclement weather.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=11 June 2020 |title=2019 Traffic Safety Culture Index |url=https://aaafoundation.org/2019-traffic-safety-culture-index/ |access-date=19 December 2021 |website=AAA Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2021 |title=How to Prevent Red Light Runners |url=https://www.westernsystems-inc.com/stop-red-light-running/ |access-date=19 December 2021 |website=Western Systems |language=en-US}}</ref>

The rules governing traffic light junctions for vehicles differ by jurisdiction. For example, it is common in [[North America]] that drivers can turn kerb-to-kerb (i.e. turning right at most junctions), even when a red light shows.<ref>{{cite news |author=Michael Knight  |date=30 December 1979 |title=For Boston Drivers It's Turn Right on Red and Full Speed Ahead |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/30/archives/for-boston-drivers-its-turn-right-on-red-and-full-speed-ahead.html |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{UnitedStatesCode|42|6322}}</ref> This [[turn on red]] rule is uncommon in Europe, unless an arrow signal or traffic sign specifically permits it.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Green Arrow |url=http://www.gruenpfeil.de/in-english.html |access-date=28 January 2021 |website=German Pedestrians' Association (FUSS e.V.) |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128024359/http://gruenpfeil.de/in-english.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=2016 |title=Pravilnik o prometni signalizaciji in prometni opremi na javnih cestah |url=http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/npbDocPdf?idPredpisa=PRAV13786&idPredpisaChng=PRAV11505&type=pdf |journal=Uradni List RS |language=sl |publisher=Služba Vlade RS za zakonodajo |page=56 |access-date=25 August 2021 |quote=2444 — Vožnja desno ob rdeči luči na semaforju}}</ref><ref>Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967 relatif à la signalisation des routes et des autoroutes – Article 7. {{cite web |title=Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967 relatif à la signalisation des routes et des autoroutes – Article 7 &#124; Legifrance |url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexteArticle.do;jsessionid=8EE36C429C78C3EFCB06EDB0F10FDA60.tpdila10v_2?idArticle%3DLEGIARTI000025705490%26cidTexte%3DJORFTEXT000000829916%26categorieLien%3Did%26dateTexte%3D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412185700/https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexteArticle.do%3Bjsessionid%3D8EE36C429C78C3EFCB06EDB0F10FDA60.tpdila10v_2?idArticle=LEGIARTI000025705490&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000829916&categorieLien=id&dateTexte= |archive-date=12 April 2016 |access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Highway Code: Using the road (rule 177) |url=https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183 |access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref>