From 1 October 2026, Spain’s updated traffic-light rules generally prohibit a vehicle-facing flashing amber signal from coinciding with a green pedestrian signal where their paths cross. The change stems from Royal Decree 518/2026, which amended the General Traffic Regulations. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), led by Director General Pere Navarro, says the aim is to end a confusing overlap: drivers could proceed with caution while pedestrians were authorized to cross.
For decades, Spanish traffic lights have followed the familiar three-color sequence. The first traffic light in Spain appeared in 1926 on Madrid’s Gran Vía, initially featuring only red and green. Amber was added in the 1930s to signal an imminent change from green to red. Since then, the basic system has remained largely unchanged, with adjustments such as the introduction of flashing amber at certain intersections.
The safety concern arises when a vehicle faces flashing amber as pedestrians see green: each signal can appear to authorize movement across intersecting paths. The DGT’s stated general rule is that “the flashing amber for vehicles may not coincide with the green for pedestrians.” The revised sequence is intended to give drivers a clear stop signal during the pedestrian crossing phase. Information from Última Hora’s coverage of the DGT rule, a vehicle-facing flashing amber phase may appear only after a steady red has first been displayed.
The reform does not abolish flashing amber signals across Spain. They may remain in selected traffic-management situations. Reporting on the amended structure also describes exceptional configurations where technical circumstances warrant them and competent authorities permit them. The basic change is the default separation of vehicle flashing amber from pedestrian green at crossings where movements conflict.
Putting the rule into practice requires municipalities to adjust signal timing or control systems at local junctions. Motor16 reports that thousands of crossings still need adaptation, leaving local authorities to contend with costs and practical constraints in updating them on a single timetable. Santander has also become a focus of local pressure: the Cantabrian PSOE called for the city’s traffic lights to meet the new standard to strengthen pedestrian safety, as elDiario.es reported.
Where drivers face a steady red signal, disobeying it can carry a €200 fine and four penalty points, according to Motor16’s summary of the enforcement consequences. That sanction applies to running a red light, not to the mere presence of a flashing amber signal. Drivers encountering flashing amber must still proceed cautiously and obey any other applicable stop or priority signals.
The change is part of a broader effort to improve urban safety and reduce accidents involving pedestrians. The DGT’s decision follows years of debate over how best to modernize Spain’s traffic infrastructure, including earlier discussions about adding a fourth light for autonomous vehicles. This reform, but, focuses on making pedestrian priority clearer at signalized crossings.
Traffic lights remain a critical tool for managing urban flow and preventing accidents. As Spanish cities grow and traffic patterns evolve, authorities face pressure to adapt regulations to new realities. The updated rule is intended to give drivers and pedestrians greater clarity, though its practical effect at individual junctions depends on local signal adaptations.
Similar efforts to clarify road rules have appeared in other areas of Spanish traffic law. Recent changes, for example, have targeted improper parking, with fines reaching up to €500 for violations such as parking against the flow of traffic, as detailed in this analysis of stricter parking enforcement.
The DGT’s move may prompt further updates to Spain’s traffic regulations as technology and urban mobility evolve. The October change is intended to make crossings safer and the experience more predictable for everyone on Spanish roads.
