Police Signals & Instructions

Order of priority of the rules

In case of conflict, this order applies – from top to bottom:

1. 1

   Signals and instructions of the police

2. 2

   Light signals (traffic lights)

3. 3

   Signs (road signs)

4. 4

   Markings

5. 5

   General traffic rules (e.g. priority from the right)

Example: if the police signal "Stop", you stop even if the light is green.

Understanding hand signals

• Arm stretched vertically upwards: "Attention" – for everyone: caution, a stop order follows (comparable to amber).

• One or both arms stretched horizontally to the side: Stop for traffic approaching the officer from the front or behind. Traffic from the side (parallel to the arms) may proceed.

• If the officer lowers the arms or turns, the release changes accordingly – watch them closely.

Other instructions

The police may also give instructions with a lamp, whistle, loudspeaker or from the vehicle (e.g. "Follow", "Stop"). These are binding too. Instructions from other authorised persons (e.g. roadworks traffic marshals, escorts of children's groups) must also be followed.