Overview
A pedestrain crossing is an area on the road allocated for pedestrians to cross safely. A pedestrian crossing or zebra stripes are usually painted at intersections but it can be located anywhere on the road.
Pedestrians
The following are considered to be pedestrians and vehicles have to give way to them when they are on or stepping out onto a pedestrian crossing. People who are
- Walking
- In a wheelchairs
- On roller skates / skies
- On a scooter
Pedestrian Crossing
Pedestrian crossing road marking (Zebra stripes)
Cyclists and mopeds
These two road users are also allowed to use the pedestrian crossing. However vehicles do not have to give way to them. Vehicles only have to give way to them on Bicycle paths
Types of pedestrian crossings
Unguarded pedestrian crossing
- Drivers have to give way to any pedestrian on the pedestrian crossing
- Drivers have to give way to any pedestrian that have just stepped out onto the crossing
Ungaurded Pedestrian Crossing
Guarded pedestrian crossing
- The pedestrian crossing has a traffic light, signal or police officer controlling the pedestrian crossing
- Pedestrains and drivers should still be cautious for each other and make eye contact.
- If you get a green light and need to turn but there are pedestrians on the road, you must give way to them even though you have a green light
- If the light turn red for pedestrian crossing the road, you as a driver still need to allow pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing to cross safely
Guarded Pedestrian crossing
Interaction between the driver and the pedestrian
- Always try to seek eye contact with the pedestrians to avoid misunderstanding.
- Never wave a pedestrian over to indicate they can walk. This will give them an idea that everything is safe now and they can let their guard down when they cross the road.
- Dont flash your lights at pedestrian, similar to waving them over the street
- Dont drive in a manner that will put pressure on the pedestrian to walk faster. Some drivers "creep drive" slowly to the pedestrian crossing. This put pressure on the pedestrian to walk faster and they can make a mistake or fall on the road
- Dont forces a pedestrian to cross. If a pedestrian has indicated that they wont cross now, you as the driver should continue onwards and not stop and be "polite" to let them cross the road. They will feel obligated and rushed to cross now and can make a mistake
Make eye contact