pedestrian crossings / zebra crossings...?

Question

several times i have had near misses on these crossings and had with my children with me ,either drivers don't stop or try to get past quickly . children are told that these are safe places to cross !!! what is the law regarding motorists and pedestrians at these crossings????

rickiehart72 ... my childrens manners are just fine thank you

Answer 1

Yes, its an important question, I think to protect the pedestrian the govt.should do something, like fixing a camera to monitor this area..

Answer 2

Pedestrians have the right of way on a zebra crossing. Motorists just don't give a damn. I've lost count of the number of times I was nearly killed half way across one and a car just kept on going! That was London though - the drivers down there are a special breed of dumb not seen anywhere else in the UK!

All I can suggest is the old fashion stop, look and listen - but if you're already on the crossing even that won't help. You can sue the motorist for bucket loads of cash if they do knock you down on a crossing though - not really a consolation but there might be a motorist reading this learning something!

Answer 3

both parties should not go on the zebra crossing, if someone is waiting to cross then the approaching motorist should stop, and I mean stop before the bumper of their car inhibits the crossing.
there are so many ignorant people who use the roads today it's untrue, and I agree with you about society telling innocent children it's a safe place to cross, as you point out that is not strictly true. sure it is suppose to be, but like you I know differently.
Ireland is really a bad place for road users, motorists go way too fast, they drive bumper to bumper in most cases, and that's not because of congestion it is plain ignorance, I live here and I drive so I am not having a go as someone who does not use the roads. if you are a pedestrian it is just as bad.
UK is much better, and I found Spain, great, motorists slow and stop as soon as they see you are wanting to cross, and they do not stop almost right on the crossing like they do in Ireland.
conclusion: wherever you are crossing the road you ARE ON YOUR OWN. you have to look out for yourself and your children, because you are up against an ignorant creature when you are dealing with a road using motorist

Answer 4

If your foot's on the crossing (i.e. the road, not the pavement) they have to stop. It's illegal to not stop for pedestrians if they're in the road. Also, at a crossing with an island and lights, drivers are supposed to let you all the way across even if the lights are green. Pedestrians shouldn't be left stranded in the middle just because they started crossing late. It counts as if there were no island. Hope that helps a bit.

Answer 5

Contrary to popular belief, its not a pedestrians right just to step off the pavement.

If a pedestrian is standing waiting to cross at a zebra crossing then a driver should give way to the pedestrian. Teach your children to cross on a zebra crossing but wait for traffic to stop, also teach your children some manners like raising their hand to thank the driver.

I always give way at zebra crossings, but rarely do I get a nod or a wave. This pee's off drivers and makes them less likely to stop again for nasty rude and obnoxious children and adults.

Answer 6

I was always understood that drivers were/are legally obligied to stop if someone is either waiting to cross or on a pedestrian/zebra cross - I think it's in the Highway Code. If a driver drives across the crossing while you are on it, try to memorise as much detail about the car as you can, and then report them to the police as soon as you can - if you say it put your childrens lives at risk, then theres more chance of the police acting.

Answer 7

Pedestrians have right of way on these crossings and cars should stop for you.
The problem is, a lot of drivers think they own the road and pavement and that the laws don't apply to them.

Answer 8

I'm not sure what the law is but as a volunteer at our local magistrate court, i can tell you that a few weeks ago someone was charged with failing to stop at a crossing, so maybe drivers should legally stop.
i know i always do and most people say thank you.
i agree its important to teach children to wait for the traffic to stop, even at a crossing with lights. there are always drivers who don't pay enough attention to the road.

Answer 9

I know. Some people don't even stop at the lights, creating trouble for the pedestrians.

Answer 10

you are supposed to wait until cars stop. usually a long wait