Traffic light system - meaning and definition
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Definition
A common safeword convention: 'green' means all good, 'yellow' means slow down or check in, and 'red' means stop now.
At a glance
- Green means all good, yellow means slow down or check in, and red means stop now.
- It gives more nuance than a single stop word.
- 'Yellow' lets someone ask for a change without ending the scene.
- Partners may ask 'what colour are you?' as a quick check-in.
- Many venues treat 'red' as a universal stop word that dungeon monitors respond to.
In detail
The traffic light system is popular because it is easy to remember and gives more nuance than a single stop word. 'Yellow' lets someone ask for a change without ending the scene. A partner may also ask 'what colour are you?' as a quick check-in.
Like any safeword, the colours only work if they are honoured instantly and without complaint. Venues and events often treat 'red' as a universal stop word, and dungeon monitors will respond to it.
In a sentence
- We use the traffic light system, so yellow just means let's slow down and talk.
- The house rules say red ends any scene, and the monitors will step in.
Where the word comes from
Named after road traffic signals, whose colours most people already understand as go, caution and stop.
Common questions
What does yellow mean in the traffic light system?
Yellow means slow down, change something or check in, without ending the scene. It lets someone ask for an adjustment before they need to stop completely.