One-line definition
The traffic light system is a common safeword scheme using red, yellow, and green to signal stop, adjust, and keep going.
Full definition
Red means stop now. Yellow means ease off, check in, or change something. Green means all is well, continue. The shared, intuitive vocabulary lets participants communicate their state quickly and unambiguously without having to break the mood with a long explanation, which is part of why it is so widely taught to newcomers.
Related terms
- Safeword
- Check-in
- Negotiation