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Pedestrian Road safety
Controlled
crossing points
Signal crossing at a traffic light
- Walk when green man is lit. Double check for left and right turning
traffic before crossing.
- Flashing red man - continue to cross, but do not step onto crossing.
- Do not step onto the road when the red man
is lit.
A signalised crossing is where there is a pedestrian light
(red/green man) at a set of traffic lights. Press the button at the signalised
crossing, the red man will light up on the pole across the road. This means do
not cross. Wait until the green man appears. Look to see if any cars are coming
and cross if it is clear. When the red man starts flashing do not cross the
road. This means vehicles will start moving again soon.
Click on the play button below to see more about how to
cross the road using a signalised crossing.
Pedestrian
zebra crossing
- Allow enough time for vehicles to stop.
- If vehicles are approaching wait for them to pass or stop before
stepping out and then take a life saving second look before crossing.
- Vehicles must give way to pedestrians on any part of the crossings.
Staggered pedestrian zebra crossing
- Check for traffic from your right, until you reach the island in the middle of the
road and then check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross
the rest of the road.
- Vehicles must stop and give way to pedestrians on their half of the road
A pedestrian zebra crossing has black and white poles with
orange discs, diamond road markings and white stripes on the road. Pedestrians
have the right of way at a pedestrian zebra crossing but it is important to make
sure the vehicles have stopped. Look right, look left, look right again. Cross
when safe to do so.
Click on the play button below to see more about how to cross the road using a
pedestrian zebra crossing.
Designated crossing points
Pedestrian refuge Island
- These are not zebra crossings.
- These are designed to give pedestrians a chance
to get across in two stages, giving the pedestrian
a safer place to wait before making the second
stage of the crossing.
- Check for traffic from your right, until you reach the middle of the
road and then check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross
the rest of the road.
A pedestrian refuge island is a raised island with a
cut-through, where pedestrians can safety wait to cross busy roads in two
stages. Pedestrians do not have the right of way at a pedestrian refuge island.
Stop. Look right. Double check for vehicles before you step onto the road. Cross
to the centre island only if safe to do so. When you get to the centre island
stop. Look left. Double check before you step onto the road. Cross to the other
side of the road when safe to do so.
Click on the play button below to see more about how to
cross the road using a pedestrian refuge island.
Raised Platforms
- These are NOT zebra crossings.
- In many shopping areas where the road surface changes, for example, to
paved areas, it is an indication for drivers to reduce their speed and to be
aware of pedestrians.
- Pedestrians must give way to vehicles.
Pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles on
footpaths. They also have priority over vehicles when vehicles are entering or
exiting a driveway that crosses a footpath. The decision about whether a
situation is a driveway or an intersection is not always clear. In practice, if
the entrance to the driveway looks like a road and not a continuation of the
footpath, it should be treated as though you are crossing a road and pedestrians
must give way to vehicles.
In this situation, a driver entering or exiting a driveway like this must give
way to pedestrians on the footpath .
This situation is considered an intersection because the kerb is returned making
it a road. Therefore, pedestrians should treat this as though crossing a road
and give way to vehicles.
It is illegal to cross the road within 20 metres of any
pedestrian zebra or signalised crossing. It is also very unsafe - take a few
extra steps to walk to the crossing. This means if you are closer than 20 metres
to a crossing you must use it.
Uncontrolled Crossing Points
Roundabouts
- Crossing at a roundabout is not advisable. However if a crossing
facility is provided - use it
with care as motorists are watching for vehicles.
- Never assume a driver has seen you.
- Cross away from a roundabout where the visibility is better.
Intersections
- When crossing at intersections, remember to check behind and in front
for turning vehicles.
Median Strips
- This is not a zebra crossing. If you are crossing where there is a
median strip, use it with extreme care, as turning traffic will also use it.
- Do not walk along a median strip. This is illegal.
Straight Crossing
If there is no crossing facility within 20 metres from where you want to
cross:
- Then select a place to cross that is free from obstructions so that you
can see and be seen.
- Keep away from parked vehicles.
- Keep on looking for traffic when crossing the road.
- Ensure you allow yourself enough time to complete the crossing safely.
Advice for pedestrians
Car Parks/Shopping Areas
- Be alert in car parks.
- Watch for reversing vehicles.
- Use identified walking areas.
Parked Vehicles
- Avoid crossing between parked cars.
- If unavoidable - check for a gap between unoccupied vehicles, stop at the outside
corners of vehicles and look in both directions,
before crossing.
- Do not cross in front of buses.
Footpaths
- Always use a footpath where provided, rather
than risk walking on the road.
- Watch and listen for vehicles entering or exiting driveways, especially sneaky driveways
concealed by high fences and hedges.
- Where there is no footpath, walk on the road facing oncoming traffic
-
If you have problems with maintenance of Auckland
City footpaths, for example cracks, breaks or bumps in the pavement,
potholes or water pooling on the footpath, please
contact us.
Crossings near schools
School Patrols -
Pedestrian Crossings
- School patrols operate twice daily to ensure
that school children get to and from school safely.
- As motorists you must stop if one or both signs
are extended onto the road.
- As pedestrians you should obey the commands
of the Patrols.
School Patrols – Kea Crossings
They operate just like School Patrols, except
that when the Patrols are not operating the road
reverts back to a normal roadway.
