We see a lot of people doing it at the fire, yet it is forbidden and punishable by a fine.

This bad habit is spreading on the roads and motorists are facing fines.

Some drivers are taking liberties with the Highway Code. This is increasingly true, according to the Road Safety Authority, which, with supporting figures, denounces the increase in bad driving behavior. This will come as no surprise, as smartphone use is particularly singled out. However, just about everyone knows what to expect if caught using their cell phone while driving: using a smartphone while driving is punishable by a €135 fine and the loss of 3 points on their driving license. Other offenses, however, are much less well-known among motorists, who sometimes become disillusioned when they are stopped by law enforcement.

This phenomenon is quite often observed near traffic lights, which regulate traffic between road users. For 100% of drivers, the traffic light rule is clear for two colors: when it's green, I go, when it's red, I stop. But what does the Highway Code really say when the light turns orange? If we brought an alien down to Earth to observe the behavior of motorists approaching an orange light, there's no doubt they'd have a hard time guessing.

Some brake to stop, others continue on their way or even accelerate to cross the light before it turns red. Among the latter, a large number believe they are doing so legally, as if the orange color offered a final delay to cross the intersection. However, the Highway Code is very clear on the matter, article R412-31 stipulating that "every driver must stop in front of a fixed yellow traffic light." There is only one situation in which crossing the orange light is tolerated, and that is "if the driver can no longer stop his vehicle in sufficient safety conditions." This exception applies if the risk of braking suddenly could cause an accident, particularly if the vehicle is closely followed by another that might also have been tempted not to stop.

Failure to slow down and stop at an orange light without extenuating circumstances is punishable by a class two fine, requiring the offender to pay 35 euros. However, unlike running a red light – punishable by a fine of 135 euros and the loss of 4 points on the license – only law enforcement can record this violation because the cameras installed on traffic lights are not programmed to identify vehicles that go through an orange light. Which is no excuse to play with fire.