Traffic Light In German Street Remains Red For 28 Years

It can take a long time for the traffic lights to go from red to green.

But next time you’re stuck behind one, impatiently tapping at your steering wheel, just be thankful you aren’t on a certain street in Dresden in Germany.

This is because there is one traffic light in the city that has been red for 28 years.

Since 1987, a traffic light at the junction of four streets near the River Elbe has remained resolutely red.

The traffic light has been red since Dresden was part of the old East Germany, but didn’t alter after reunification. The red light is at Ziegelstraße street in the city.

The reason behind the permanent red light isn’t a technical malfunction but, appropriately, red tape.

Strict planning rules mean the traffic light doesn’t have to turn green to allow motorists to turn right at the junction, but the red light is required to make them stop before turning.

But if you didn’t have that local motoring knowledge, you could be stuck in traffic for a long time – almost three decades.

In the past 30 years, it has cost about €150,000 to maintain this one red traffic light. It costs €5,500 a year to maintain.

Bizarrely, part of the money set aside each year is for replacement light bulbs in all colours: red, amber and green.