Pedestrian lightsBelgium
Traffic rules
Belgium
44. Pedestrian lights
Pedestrian lights are traffic signals that regulate when pedestrians may begin crossing a road. They normally display a red standing figure to prohibit starting and a green walking figure to permit crossing.
A flashing signal or countdown may warn that the permitted crossing period is ending. Pedestrians should cross without unnecessary delay, while turning drivers must remain alert and allow pedestrians who entered lawfully to finish crossing safely.
Wikimedia.org • Jean Housen • CC BY-SA
How many colours do Belgian pedestrian lights currently have?
Belgian pedestrian lights are currently two-coloured: red and green.
What does a red pedestrian light mean in Belgium?
A red pedestrian light means that pedestrians are not permitted to enter the carriageway.
What does a green pedestrian light mean?
A green pedestrian light means that pedestrians are permitted to enter the carriageway and cross.
What do the Belgian pedestrian symbols look like?
The red light displays the illuminated silhouette of a stationary pedestrian, while the green light displays a pedestrian in motion.
Where are the red and green lights positioned?
The red light is positioned above the green light.
What does a flashing green pedestrian light mean?
It warns that permission to cross is about to end. The red light will appear shortly.
May you begin crossing while the green figure is flashing?
The flashing figure remains a green signal but warns that the phase is ending. Begin only when you can cross safely and without unnecessary delay; otherwise, wait for the next green phase.
What if the light turns red while you are already crossing?
Continue crossing at a normal pace. The red light prohibits beginning the crossing; it does not require a pedestrian already lawfully on the carriageway to turn back.
Must drivers allow you to finish crossing?
Yes. Even when traffic in their direction is permitted to proceed, drivers must allow pedestrians who entered the carriageway lawfully to finish crossing at a normal pace.
May a turning driver cross your path while your pedestrian light is green?
Yes, at some intersections. A driver changing direction must give way to pedestrians crossing the carriageway the driver is entering.
Does green guarantee a conflict-free crossing?
No. Pedestrians must remain alert for turning vehicles, priority vehicles and other lawful traffic movements.
Must pedestrians still look for traffic on green?
Yes. They should verify that vehicles are stopping and should cross without unnecessarily lingering or remaining on the carriageway.
What if there are no separate pedestrian lights?
Pedestrians must follow the traffic lights controlling vehicle traffic or the instructions of an authorised person.
May pedestrians cross when the vehicle light is red but no pedestrian light is present?
They must follow the vehicle signals applying at that location. They should not enter merely because vehicles appear to be stopped for another reason.
What do arrows around a Belgian pedestrian figure mean?
Under the current Highway Code, they indicate that the same green or red signal also applies simultaneously to pedestrians crossing in the transverse direction.
Do pedestrian lights apply to cyclists?
No. Ordinary pedestrian lights apply only to pedestrians. Cyclists who remain mounted must follow the applicable bicycle or vehicle signal.
Is a person walking beside a bicycle a pedestrian?
Yes. A person leading a bicycle, motorised bicycle or two-wheeled moped by hand is currently treated as a pedestrian.
What are combined pedestrian-and-cycle lights?
They display the illuminated silhouettes of a pedestrian and a bicycle and apply only to pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeled moped riders who may legally use the relevant bike path.
What does red mean on a current combined signal?
It means that the indicated pedestrians, cyclists and permitted moped riders may not begin crossing.
What does green mean on a combined signal?
It permits the indicated road users to cross. A flashing green signal warns that this permission is about to end.
May a cyclist follow an ordinary pedestrian green light?
No. A mounted cyclist may follow it only when the signal is a legally applicable combined pedestrian-and-cycle light.
May a cyclist dismount and use the pedestrian signal?
Yes. Once walking beside the bicycle, the person is treated as a pedestrian and may follow the pedestrian signal.
What if a Belgian pedestrian push button has been pressed?
Pressing the button requests a crossing phase but does not permit immediate crossing. Pedestrians must wait for the green figure.
Must pedestrians use the marked crossing?
When a pedestrian crossing is located within approximately 20 metres, pedestrians must use it.
May pedestrians cross diagonally during an ordinary green phase?
No, unless the signal arrangement specifically permits crossing in all directions. Pedestrians must normally cross approximately perpendicular to the centre line.
May pedestrians stop or linger on the carriageway?
No. They may not linger or remain on the carriageway without necessity.
What if a tram approaches a signal-controlled crossing?
Pedestrians must follow the applicable lights. Without permission from traffic lights, they may not enter a pedestrian crossing over tram tracks or a reserved tram site when a tram is approaching.
Do instructions from a police officer override pedestrian lights?
Yes. Orders from an authorised person take precedence over traffic lights, traffic signs, road markings and ordinary traffic rules.
What changes on 1 June 2027?
The new Belgian Code of the Public Road states more explicitly that red prohibits beginning the crossing and that flashing green warns that the permission is ending and red will appear shortly.
What will arrows around the pedestrian figure mean after 1 June 2027?
They will indicate that pedestrians simultaneously receive the same green or red signal for all directions.
Will combined pedestrian-and-cycle lights change?
Yes. The new code permits combined signals with red, orange-yellow and green phases, although a two-colour red-and-green version may still be used.
What will orange-yellow mean on a combined signal?
It means that crossing is prohibited. A cyclist or two-wheeled moped rider already too close to stop safely may continue, but a pedestrian may not begin crossing.
Who will the new combined signals apply to?
They will apply only to pedestrians, cyclists and riders of two-wheeled mopeds.
