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Green traffic light will be canceled next year: what does the EU have to do with it?

Controversy has erupted on social media over the change in the color of the green traffic light to emerald. From indignation to poetry: some people approve of the new changes, while others say it’s not the right time. Indeed, new changes to traffic light standards are approved by the new DSTU, which will come into force on May 1, 2025. Komersant investigated whether this will cause additional hassle for drivers and what will actually change after the start of the innovations.

Social media users were divided into two camps. Some took the color change literally and are already wondering how much money will be spent on new traffic lights from the budget. In particular, Olga Korosteleva spoke out sharply about the changes on Facebook:

“After the massive shelling and power outages across Ukraine, I can’t bear to hold the author of the idea to change the traffic lights from green to emerald. It’s just unbearable!”

Another user, Volodymyr Romanenko, called for rationality:

“This is a technical solution to harmonize with European standards. It applies only to new installations or replacement of old traffic lights. No one plans to replace all existing traffic lights.”

What will actually change?

According to UkrNDNC, the main purpose of the innovations is to bring the standards in line with European norms. The main changes:

• Emerald signal instead of green: the new color is brighter and better visible on the road.

• Chevron arrows: replace solidarrows, which will help drivers navigate faster.

• Bicycletraffic lights: with a bicycle icon, which will be implemented on bicycle lanes.

• Countdown timers: will be installed on all types of traffic lights.

Oleksiy Biloshytskyi, First Deputy Head of the Patrol Police Department, emphasized:

“We are only talking about implementing changes for new facilities and reconstructions. We do not plan to replace old traffic lights on a massive scale,” Oleksiy Biloshytskyi

Thus, updating traffic light standards is part of the harmonization of Ukrainian rules with European ones. Despite the outrage on social media, the changes will only affect new or reconstructed facilities. So there is no reason to spread panic or fake news.