The Daily Difference - Day 2: Traffic Lights

Greg, the only driver in our family with a French license, had a difficult time getting accustomed to the traffic signals in France. In the US, traffic lights are hung up high and are situated across the intersection from where you have to stop. In France, you pull right up to the stoplight. On major streets, the light is usually hung above the street, but you end up practically underneath the light when you are the first one to stop. On minor streets, the light is very low - almost eye level - and to your right. In either situation, my very tall husband has to crouch down in the driver's seat and crane his neck to watch for the light to turn green.

Another difference is that the yellow light is extremely brief. Unless you are already midway through the intersection, it's best to stop. When we visited Geneva, we noticed that Switzerland has added another twist to the yellow light: when you are sitting at the red light, the yellow light starts to blink several seconds before the light turns green, to give you a "heads up." This is a great idea! I'm sure it cuts down on noise pollution, too -- no more honking at the clueless driver who doesn't know that the light has turned green.

Besides the traffic lights, there are quite a few other driving differences between our two countries. For example, you can't turn right on red, unless you have a blinking yellow arrow indicator - but this is rare. And at non-signaled/non-marked intersections, the person on the right has the right of way. My advice is, if you're going to be driving in France, learn the rules before you go!

And learn to parallel park.