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Pedestrian Crossings

There are two types of pedestrian crossings,controled and uncontrolled.Controlled means there are traffic lights that tell you to stop to allow pedestrians to cross.The uncontrolled means the decision to stop or go is left to you.

The picture to the left is an uncontrolled crossing.You should see the crossing well ahead of you.You should do your MSM Routine amd look right and left to see if there are any pedestrians walking towards it or actually crossing the road.There maybe parked cars near the crossing making it difficult to see if there are any pedestrians at or near the crossing.The white zig zag lines mean you must not stop to let passengers out or park on them.Slow down and be prepared to stop.Also watch the approach speed of oncoming traffic.If the traffic is slowing down they are going to stop to allow the pedestrians to cross,you should react accordingly.If there are pedestrians waiting slow down and stop gently.Apply the
handbrake so you do not shoot forward,or if a car were to hit you from behind it will not shunt you over the crossing into pedestrians.Wait patiently and do not rev the engine or wave pedestrians across the road.There may be a car that you have not seen and by your action there could be an accident.

It is not compulsory to stop if there are pedestrians waiting to cross.If a pedestrian has one foot on the crossing they have claimed their right to cross and you must stop.Do not move the car till they have cleared the crossing they may turn back.If I was the only car approaching the crossing with nothing behind or oncomming I would continue if I was sure the pedestrians were not going to attempt to cross the road.They can cross after I have gone as there is no more traffic.

If you have your window fully open you can give an arm signal by waving you arm up and down out of the window.This will tell oncoming traffic you are going to stop and also inform the pedestrians of your intention.Your brake lights will tell traffic behind you that you are slowing down and going to stop.Do not wind down your window whilst you are driving along to do this.

The picture to the right is a controlled crossing.The traffic lights tell you when to go and stop. As you approach this crossing you should look for any pedestrian waiting by the lights..If there are any they must have pressed the button on the lights to cross.You should expect the lights to change any time now,so reduce your speed and be prepared to stop The amber light means you should stop if safe to do so.The red light means you must stop.You should never stop over the stop line blocking the crossing.There will also be a loud bleeping sound.This is for blind people to tell them it should be safe to cross.When the lights flash amber you are allowed to go if no one is on the crossing.Look out for any pedestrian that might run out at the last minute.

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