Spain to Overhaul Urban Traffic Signals to Boost Pedestrian Safety by 2026

Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has announced a major update to traffic regulations that will change how urban intersections are managed. Starting October 1, 2026, a new signaling protocol will be introduced to eliminate conflict zones where vehicles and pedestrians share the road.

The key change is the removal of the overlap between the flashing amber light for drivers and the green light for pedestrians. Currently, this overlap often causes confusion about who has the right-of-way, leading to safety risks. Under the new rules, the system will ensure total exclusivity: when vehicles see a warning signal, pedestrian crossings will remain red. Pedestrians will only be given a green light when all vehicular traffic is completely stopped.

This move is part of the DGT’s broader strategy to better protect vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders. By removing this overlap, the agency aims to reduce the high number of accidents that occur at crosswalks.

The DGT also clarified that the rules for a steady amber light remain unchanged. Drivers must still stop at a steady amber light unless it is unsafe to do so. Officials emphasized that a steady amber light is not a signal to speed up and clear the intersection, but a warning to stop—a rule that remains strictly enforced. With these updates, the DGT hopes to standardize driver behavior and prevent avoidable accidents caused by ambiguity.