A pedestrian crossing is a place designated for pedestrians to cross a road. Designed to give pedestrians a specific site where they can be seen by motorists, crossings create a safe environment from where people can cross the flow of vehicular traffic.
Most commonly pedestrian crossings are located at intersections, however are also situated at other points on busy roads that without them would be considered unsafe to cross without assistance due to vehicle numbers, speed or road widths. They are often installed in places where large numbers of pedestrians require to cross the road recently, such as shopping destinations or schools.
Signalised pedestrian crossings clearly separate when each class of traffic has priority, pedestrians or motor vehicles. Un-signalized crossings generally assist and give priority to pedestrians depending on the locality of the crossing. Although pedestrian crossings primary service is to provide a safe means of crossing the road, the can also be used to calm traffic - especially when used in combination with other features, such as pedestrian priority, refuge islands and/or raised surfaces.
There are 6 different types of pedestrian crossing in the UK, these being:
- School.
- Zebra.
- Pelican.
- Puffin.
- Toucan.
- Pegasus.
Below is information on each of the 6 crossings, detailing rules and guidance for both pedestrians and motorists.
School Crossing
School crossings, as the name suggests, are found exclusively outside schools where school children need guidance to cross the road.
Rules for Pedestrians
- Always wait for the crossing guard to tell you it is safe to cross.
- Always cross in front of them.
- If you are on your bike, always dismount before crossing.
Rules for Drivers
Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 it is an offence to not Stop when signalled to do so by a school crossing guard. When a guard steps into the road you must Stop (Rule 87 of the Highway Code).
If a vehicle does not Stop, consequencies can include:
- fatalities/serious injury
- a fine of up to £1000
- three penalty points
- disqualification
Zebra crossing
A Zebra crossing is a path across a road marked with black and white stripes where pedestrians may cross. They have NO traffic lights.
Rules for Pedestrians
- Pedestrians using the crossing should give traffic plenty of time to see them and to stop before starting to cross.
- Remember vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery.
- Traffic does not have to stop until a pedestrian(s) has moved onto the crossing.
- Pedestrians must wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing.
- They must keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen them and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped.
Rules for Drivers
- Drivers approaching a Zebra crossing are made aware of the crossing by black and white poles with flashing yellow beacons and zig-zag road markings ahead.
- As a driver approaches a zebra crossing, they must look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross.
- Vehicles should stop before the white dotted line - not after it.
- Drivers must give way when someone has moved onto a crossing.
- Be aware of pedestrians approaching the crossing after you have stopped.
Pelican (Pedestrian Light Controlled Crossing)
These are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. The name derives from a pseudo-acronym for 'Pedestrian Light Controlled,' with the 'o' changed to an 'a' in reference to the bird. The use of improbable animal symbols began in 1951 with the introduction of 'Zebra' Crossings.
Rules for PedestriansPedestrians need to push the control button to activate the traffic signals.When the red figure shows, do not cross. When a steady green figure shows, checks that the traffic has stopped should be taken before crossing with care.When the green figure begins to flash, pedestrians should not start to cross. If they have already started then they should have time to finish crossing safely. At some pelican crossings there is a bleeping sound to indicate to blind or partially-sighted people when the steady green figure is showing, and there may be a tactile signal to help deafblind people.
Rules for DriversDrivers approaching a Pelican crossing are made aware of the crossing by traffic lights and zig-zag road markings ahead. Iron railings are usually used to stop pedestrians entering the road away from the crossing also.Vehicles must stop on the white line - not after it.These are signal-controlled crossings where flashing amber follows the red 'Stop' light.Vehicles must stop when the red light shows.When the amber light is flashing, drivers must give way to any pedestrians on the crossing. If the amber light is flashing and there are no pedestrians on the crossing, drivers may proceed with caution.
Puffin (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent crossings)
These differ from pelican crossings as there is no flashing green figure phase (for pedestrians) or flashing amber light phase (for drivers).
Rules for Pedestrians
On puffin crossings the red and green figures are above the control box on each side of the road.
- Pedestrians need to press the button and wait for the green figure to show.
- The new 'smart' system uses heat sensors and cameras to tell if pedestrians are waiting on the pavement, and can even override the red light shown to drivers.
- It has reduced delays to motor vehicles, and improved crossing conditions for elderly and disabled persons by automatically varying the crossing times.
Rules for Drivers
Drivers approaching a Puffin crossing are made aware of the crossing by of traffic lights and zig-zag road markings. Iron railings are usually used to stop pedestrians entering the road away from the crossing.The lights have no flashing amber phase, so lights will change as a normal traffic light would at a junction.
Toucan (Two-Can Cross)
Rules for Pedestrians
At Toucan crossings cyclists are permitted to ride across the road (they do not have to dismount their bicycle). The crossing is to be used similarly to a Puffin crossing.
Rules for Drivers
Drivers approaching a Toucan crossing are made aware of the crossing by traffic lights.Zig-zag road markings and Iron railings are usually present but are not certain.The lights have no flashing amber phase, so lights will change as at a normal traffic light at a junction.
Pegasus
The Pegasus crossing is similar to any other light controlled crossing, but in addition to provision for pedestrians (as at a Puffin Crossing) and/or cyclists (as at a Toucan crossing) the Pegasus crossing makes special provision for horses.The Pegasus crossing is usually used outside race courses or areas where horses are trained.
Rules for Pedestrians
For riders there is a 'high level' push button to operate the crossing. This is placed on the traffic-light support, and so the horse has to come very close to the road in order for the button to be pressed and therefore riders must be aware.
Rules for Drivers
- Drivers approaching a Pegasus crossing are made aware of the crossing by traffic lights, zig-zag road markings and Iron railings which are used to stop pedestrians and horses entering the road away from the crossing.
- From a drivers point of view, the crossing works in the same way as ordinary traffic lights.
- Horses have to come very close to the road in order for a 'high level' button to be pressed and so extra caution must be taken by drivers.
- Drive slowly and considerately.
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