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Pedestrian road safety
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.
Click here for more road safety tips for pedestrians
Pedestrian safety animations
Signalised crossing
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
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.
Pedestrian refuge island
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.
