How are traffic laws such as traffic lights and helmet rules viewed from the perspective of usul al-fiqh?

Summary

The text lays out the usul al-fiqh foundation relevant to traffic regulations, namely the concept of maslahah and its three divisions: mu'tabarah, mulghaah and mursalah. Maslahah mursalah is a benefit that the sharia neither explicitly accepts nor rejects, and it is not an independent source but serves as a proof under certain conditions. These conditions are that it is beneficial, general in nature and not contradicting the texts. Imam al-Shatibi adds that it must align with the objectives of the sharia, be acceptable to reason, and serve to protect essential matters or remove hardship.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.