Driving car from driveway into zebra crossing legal?

noah1234

Hi,

Our house is in front of pedestrian crossing. We alreay have a drive just after the zebra crossing lines. I was thinking about removing the rest of the fence and paving the rest of the front yard to have easier access as it is really hard to get in and out of drive and cannot park anywhere outside due to zigzag and double yellow lines.

Is it illegal to drive into the pedestrian crossing from the driveway?

Warwick_Hunt

Not if the kerb isn't dropped.

noah1234

The kerb is dropped

unforeseen

So you want to cross the footpath at a point that pedestrians will either be waiting to cross or will be arriving from the other side of the road? I don't think the council/highways would be very impressed and would probably take action

unforeseen

noah1234 wrote: »

The kerb is dropped

The kerb is dropped at the crossing as a disability aid, not for your use.

Johno100

noah1234 wrote: »

The kerb is dropped

Yes, but is it dropped for vehicles or pedestrians? Usual clue is if there is textured paving on the dropped kerb.

GwylimT

noah1234 wrote: »

The kerb is dropped

Has it been specifically dropped to be used for vehicles to gain access, or for pedestrians to use a designated crossing?

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

I suspect it would not be illegal - I doubt that there is a specific law addressing this peculiar circumstance, but I'd be fairly sure that the Council would not drop a kerb to permit it, by whatever rules they work to for permitting dropped kerbs. I doubt they'd permit the linking of your existing dropped kerb and the dropped kerb of the crossing.

However, as it is likely that the kerb is dropped anyway, then I'm not sure that anyone could do anything about it. Then it comes down to traffic, both pedestrian and motor. Although your existing arrangement is difficult, you might find having to safely deal with traffic and pedestrians around the crossing is also difficult. However, if you did have a problem, I think you'd also readily find yourself facing "Driving without due consideration to other road users" charges.

I'd suggest post in the off-topic part of the pepipoo.com forums - I suspect that it would be right up their street for digging out obscure legislation.

At least if the traffic is busy, you can open the door, put one foot on the crossing and all the traffic will have to stop for you.:beer:

System

I would be more concerned with everyone who saw me doing it thinking how bad a driver I was.

Robisere

Did a previous resident have the kerb dropped, and are you able to contact them? I think a pic of the kerb and crossing would help: i.e. is the dropped kerb there to assist wheelchair users to cross?

maninthestreet

Whilst it may not be illegal, you may make people cross by doing it....