germany traffic
What to do at a road crossing with only one traffic light in german traffic law?
<p>There is a weird traffic situation in Berlin, Germany (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/MvZGYzk6G9jVyW368" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>), which consists of a crossing with only one traffic light like this:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/zomz2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/zomz2.png" alt="a weird crossing" /></a></p>
<p>The traffic signs indicate that AC is the main road, so traffic coming from B or D has to wait until it's clear. Pedestrians can activate the traffic light, which stops traffic from A and C.</p>
<p>Imaging following situation:</p>
<ul>
<li><code>y</code> wants to go from <code>A</code> to <code>C</code>, but has to wait before the crossing because the light is <strong>red</strong>.</li>
<li><code>x</code> wants to go from <code>D</code> to <code>C</code>.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How should <code>x</code> behave?</h2>
<p><strong>Go</strong>: At a normal crossing when <code>A&lt;-&gt;C</code> has red light, <code>B&lt;-&gt;D</code> would have green light, so <code>x</code> could go. (It would have to wait on the crossing for <code>B-&gt;D</code>-traffic or pedestrians to pass and then go.) But <code>x</code> has no way of knowing that <code>A&lt;-&gt;C</code> has red light.</p>
<p>or</p>
<p><strong>Wait</strong>: As there is no traffic light for <code>B&lt;-&gt;D</code>, <code>x</code> has to abide by the traffic signs. The signs say: wait for <code>y</code> to pass and then go. But this would mean, there is a lot of pointless waiting.</p>
<p>What would be the right option according to the law?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<ul>
<li>The nuisance of potentially waiting for <em>all</em> the traffic on the main road is a notion alien to the law.</li>
<li>Seeing the red light, <code>y</code> correctly does not enter the intersection, because it would <em>block</em> the intersection, § 11 Ⅰ <a href="http://bundesrecht.juris.de/stvo_2013/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">StVO</a>. Keeping intersections clear is a <em>general</em> consideration, say for emergency services. Nevertheless, if <em>safely</em> stopping <em>required</em> entering the intersection, it’s not an issue here, § 4 Ⅰ 2 StVO.</li>
<li>Stopping before entering the intersection is <em>not</em> a hard requirement, because the traffic lights do not regulate the intersection but an “isolated” pedestrian crossing. § 37 Ⅱ StVO concerns traffic lights <em>at</em> intersections.</li>
<li><strong><code>x</code> has to yield traffic as indicated by the sign</strong>, § 8 Ⅰ StVO.
<ul>
<li>Making a U‑turn or right-hand turn would be no issue, since this would not interfere with traffic (assuming properly dimensioned streets).</li>
<li>Going straight is permissible if done with caution, § 8 Ⅱ StVO, but I would not recommend that. <code>y</code> might decide any moment “Eff it! I’m taking B street [Am Falkplatz].” and boom!</li>
<li>Going left, however, is not allowed, since <code>x</code> had to stop short of the traffic light, which is frowned upon (blocking the intersection), but moreover it would take <code>y</code>’s right of way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

<p>How should x behave? Answer: Carefully.</p>
<p>First, since he has a &quot;give way&quot; sign, he has to either wait for y, or drive very, very carefully if he sees that y is not moving. And if he drives into the crossing, he will see that there is both a pedestrian crossing and a traffic light, and has to wait because of the traffic light.</p>
<p>But there isn't a lo of pointless waiting. This setup would only happen if the traffic light is expected to stop traffic only rarely.</p>
