Highway Code.

cyclonebri1

Can anyone clarify the issue of crossing a zebra or pelican crossing.

Is it legit to drive off, if at a zebra, the pedestrian has passed the "halfway" mark? or similarly has done the same under a flashing amber at a pelican? Any reference to qualify that in the HC appreciated. :beer:

acrleyton

There doesn't seem to be any mention of it - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070339

It says if the light is flashing amber or has changed to green, you must "Give way to anyone still crossing". You could read that either way I suppose.

Strider590

Pedestrians, whether on a crossing or not.... Have the right of way over cars.

Put simply, if you hit one it's your fault!!

Jay_Tee

My understanding has always been that you can not proceed until the pedestrian has fininshed crossing (ie cleared the carriageway).

The relevent law is:

The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

The relevant paragraphs are 25 and 26 reproduced below, that to my reading (which may not be necessarily right) confirms this.

Precedence of pedestrians over vehicles at Zebra crossings
25. - (1) Every pedestrian, if he is on the carriageway within the limits of a Zebra crossing, which is not for the time being controlled by a constable in uniform or traffic warden, before any part of a vehicle has entered those limits, shall have precedence within those limits over that vehicle and the driver of the vehicle shall accord such precedence to any such pedestrian.

(2) Where there is a refuge for pedestrians or central reservation on a Zebra crossing, the parts of the crossing situated on each side of the refuge for pedestrians or central reservation shall, for the purposes of this regulation, be treated as separate crossings.

Precedence of pedestrians over vehicles at Pelican crossings
26. When the vehicular light signals at a Pelican crossing are showing the flashing amber signal, every pedestrian, if he is on the carriageway or a central reservation within the limits of the crossing (but not if he is on a central reservation which forms part of a system of staggered crossings) before any part of a vehicle has entered those limits, shall have precedence within those limits over that vehicle and the driver of the vehicle shall accord such precedence to any such pedestrian.

[Deleted User]

Pedestrians around here try to cross the road at the side of the Zebra crossing. Then they give you evil stares when you drive past without stopping.

For example in this picture: http://static.freefilehost.biz/uploads/1275409261.jpg

pompeyrich

Deleted_User wrote: »

Pedestrians around here try to cross the road at the side of the Zebra crossing. Then they give you evil stares when you drive past without stopping.

For example in this picture: http://static.freefilehost.biz/uploads/1275409261.jpg

Pedestrians still have right of way when crossing at ANY junction, so maybe they feel aggrieved at you not stopping for them.

170. Take extra care at junctions. You should: watch out for pedestrians crossing a road onto which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way

Gloomendoom

I tend to give pedestrians right of way everywhere.

DaveF327

I think the question being raised here is not one of giving way to pedestrians who have started to cross, but of being allowed to proceed after having given way.

The regulations have stated "accord precedence" which could be interpreted in various ways by various people, but ultimately only the courts can interpret the law. Common sense would say that "accord precedence" means "let them go first". This means that as long as you have let the pedestrian go before you, it's legal to move off again even if the pedestrian hasn't quite reached the pavement or refuge, providing you move off safely without endangering the pedestrian. If you're too quick off the mark, you'd clip their legs, so it's good practice (even if not a strict legal requirement) to allow them to reach the pavement or refuge.

Remember that a pedestrian could change their mind and walk back across the opposite way mid-crossing. Quite a rare event, but just think of the legal implication of that if they did so just after the driver started to drive forwards.

Cool_Username

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Can anyone clarify the issue of crossing a zebra or pelican crossing.

Is it legit to drive off, if at a zebra, the pedestrian has passed the "halfway" mark? or similarly has done the same under a flashing amber at a pelican? Any reference to qualify that in the HC appreciated. :beer:

What if they hesitate halfway across and decide to turn around and go back?

Seems pretty obvious to me that you don't pull off until a pedestrian is safely on the other side.

DaveF327

Deleted_User wrote: »

Pedestrians around here try to cross the road at the side of the Zebra crossing. Then they give you evil stares when you drive past without stopping.

For example in this picture:

In which direction exactly do they cross?

cyclonebri1

DaveF327 wrote: »

I think the question being raised here is not one of giving way to pedestrians who have started to cross, but of being allowed to proceed after having given way.

The regulations have stated "accord precedence" which could be interpreted in various ways by various people, but ultimately only the courts can interpret the law. Common sense would say that "accord precedence" means "let them go first". This means that as long as you have let the pedestrian go before you, it's legal to move off again even if the pedestrian hasn't quite reached the pavement or refuge, providing you move off safely without endangering the pedestrian. If you're too quick off the mark, you'd clip their legs, so it's good practice (even if not a strict legal requirement) to allow them to reach the pavement or refuge.

Remember that a pedestrian could change their mind and walk back across the opposite way mid-crossing. Quite a rare event, but just think of the legal implication of that if they did so just after the driver started to drive forwards.

Thankyou Dave, that's exactly the question, not that it wasn't made clear to others.

For the rest of course pedesstrians have right of way, but when they have done with MY side of the road.

Into context, I had an argument with someone. He said it is against the HC to pass behind pedestrians, ie ,before they have cleared the crossing. I don't think it is. ??????