Reduction in green arrows at traffic lights in Dresden causes discussion

Many of the green arrows at the traffic lights in Dresden have disappeared in recent years. According to an inquiry by Left Party politician André Schollbach, the number has fallen from 274 in 2013 to the current 210. Schollbach accused Transport Mayor Stephan Kühn (Greens) of slowing down the flow of traffic in Dresden. "The green arrow is a sensible invention from the GDR era that we should preserve. We will take a critical look at the continuing trend of removing more and more green arrows."

The green arrow was introduced in the GDR in 1978. It allows drivers to turn right at a junction even when the light is red. There were protests against its removal after reunification. On March 1, 1994, the green arrow became part of the road traffic regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and was installed in major German cities. Traffic planners had high hopes of speeding up traffic. However, the metal signs were later dismantled in many places.