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Uncontrolled Crossings

Whilst driving you will be scanning around and ahead. 

If you see a Zebra Crossing, look for anyone on, waiting to cross it or approaching it.  If there is a pedestrian, you need to start your (MSM - Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre) routine. 

Mirror - Check your interior mirror.  You need to know what is behind you and how close.  The closer they are the earlier and more gradual you will brake.

Signal - Your signal will be your brake lights. 

Manoeuvre - You have to give way to pedestrians waiting or on the crossing so you will slow down and stop.  If you are waiting a long time you may need to use your parking brake.

When the pedestrians have fully cleared the crossing, you can move off.

Controlled Crossings

Whilst driving you will be scanning around and ahead. 

If you see a Pedestrian Crossing, look for anyone on, waiting to cross it or approaching it.  Also look at the lights.  What colour are they on?

You need to start your (MSM - Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre) routine. 

Mirror - Check your interior mirror.  You need to know what is behind you and how close.  The closer they are the earlier and more gradual you will brake.

Signal - Your signal will be your brake lights. 

Manoeuvre - You have to give way to pedestrians on the crossing no matter what the lights are on.  If you are waiting a long time you may need to use your parking brake.

See the explanation of the lights in the images so you know when you may set off.

The normal traffic light sequence is used be Puffin and Toucan crossings.  Puffin crossings have sensors and know when pedestrians are waiting to cross, when pedestrians are on the crossing and when pedestrians have finished crossing.  Toucan crossings are for pedestrians and cyclists - there could be additional road markings and lights showing cyclists.  Equestrian crossings are for horse riders.

A slightly difference sequence is used by a Pelican crossing.  Flashing Amber means give way to pedestrians on the crossing.  Pelican crossings are on timers to give pedestrians enough time to safely cross.

School Crossings

Image (3) shows a triangular shaped sign highlighting a hazard of school children, beneath the sign it says "patrol".  Patrol is a School Crossing Patrol otherwise known as a lollypop lady/man.  Below this is an amber light that flashes up and down at times when children start of finish school.

If you see this, use your MSM routine and expect to see a lollypop lady/man.  Look at the image (4) for an explanation of how they will use their lollypop stick and what you should do.

If there is no school crossing patrol, be ready for approaching school children who may not be focussed on the road they are walking toward.

Crossings - General

Thinking about markings on the road.  You cannot park on zig-zag lines.  You cannot overtake on zig-zag lines.

Think about the sign, pedestrian crossings are hazards hence the triangular sign with a pedestrian in the middle. 

At the sides of crossings, there is a red bobbly surface, this is called tactile paving.  This is to aid blind and partially sighted pedestrians.

Crossings can be in really tricky places, check this example (1).  Can you see who is approaching it up the steps?  The steps are on the right hand side, you can barely even notice that they are there.  Before you know it a pedestrian will be on the crossing and you may need to brake hard.  If your view is hindered, slow down on approach crossings.

How about image (2).  This crossing is very close to a junction.  Could be a problem if you are turning into this road and a pedestrian uses the crossing.  Make sure the crossing is clear.

And finally, Traffic Lights do not have zig-zag lines.  So if you are asked to turn left or right at the Traffic Lights, try not to turn left or right on a pedestrian crossing!!!