Traffic lights with radar may have mandatory countdowns

Soon Brazilian drivers may come across a new equipment at intersections across the country. This is because Bill (PL) 2.975/2026, pending in the Chamber of Deputies, proposes to amend the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) to make it mandatory to install timers with countdown at traffic lights equipped with electronic inspection.

Authored by federal deputy Gleisi Hoffmann (PT-PR), the text establishes that the equipment indicates in a visible and synchronized way the remaining time of both the green and red lights. The proposal awaits dispatch from the Presidency of the House to begin its analysis by the thematic committees of the National Congress.

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What changes in practice with timers at traffic lights

Currently, many intersections have high-precision radars to fine drivers who run a red light or exceed the speed limit. However, the unpredictable transition from green to yellow and red light often induces the driver to make last-minute risky decisions.

With the new bill, the installation of the countdown becomes a mandatory requirement for the operation of the radar. The equipment must:

1. Work in real time and in a perfectly synchronized way with the traffic light cycle.
2. Display the countdown for the green (allow) and red (stop) phases.
3. Be positioned in a place of high visibility for drivers.

It is worth mentioning that the timer will not be mandatory at all traffic lights in Brazil, only at traffic signs that have electronic inspection (speed cameras, signal advance or lane stop).

No Timer, No Fine

One of the points of greatest impact of PL 2.975/2026 condemns the application of penalties if the driver’s right to information is violated. The measure aims to ensure that citizens are not penalized in places where the Government fails to provide adequate conditions of visibility and predictability.

• Rule of Validity of the Assessment: According to the text, if the timer is absent, has a mechanical/electronic defect, is off, out of sync or with impaired visibility, no infraction notice can be issued by the radar associated with that traffic light.

If the bill is approved and sanctioned, the new legislation will come into force on the date of its official publication. The text determines a period of 60 days for municipal and state traffic executive bodies and entities to adapt the traffic lights with electronic inspection already installed throughout the country.

The technical regulation of timers will be under the responsibility of the National Traffic Council (Contran). In justifying the proposal, Deputy Gleisi Hoffmann points out that traffic signs should play a primarily preventive and educational role, in line with the CTB guidelines.

Among the main benefits pointed out about the PL are:

• Rear-end collision avoidance: avoids sudden braking caused by the fright of the sudden change of the yellow light.
• Reduction of involuntary advances: reduces the impulse that many drivers have to accelerate when trying to cross the road before the light closes.
• Pedestrian protection: contributes to greater safety at the crossing and reduces conflicts at the intersection.
• Transparency and trust: it dispels the popular perception that electronic inspection has a predominantly collection purpose.

In addition, the author points out that digital stopwatch technology is already widespread, has a low implementation cost and is fully compatible with current traffic light systems.

What is the next step for PL 2.975/2026 to become law?

The project awaits an order from the Presidency of the Chamber to be processed in the committees. If approved by the Chamber and the Senate, it will go to presidential sanction and regulation by Contran.