A staggered and a non-staggered crossing with a central reservation is classed as two crossings. Staggered Zebra CrossingsĪ staggered Zebra Crossing as illustrated in the diagram to the right is often used on busy roads where pedestrians can use a central reservation as a waiting area before crossing the second half of the road. If there is traffic congestion on your side of the road, ensure the vehicle in front has cleared the crossing leaving sufficient room for you to progress over the crossing, and clearing the give way lines on the opposite side. Stopping on the Zebra Crossing itself is an traffic offence and will certainly fail a driving test. If on a driving test, this action is likely to fail you. Try to avoid stopping on or over the give way line at a Zebra Crossing (see give way line on diagram above). In such a case, you will need to slow down significantly to maintain safe observation and stop if necessary. If the road is busy and there are traffic queues on the opposite side of the road, it may be very difficult to see a pedestrian. If on a driving test, failure to give way and stop to a waiting pedestrian will result in a failure. Legally speaking, you do not have to stop your car unless a pedestrian has placed a foot onto the crossing, however if there are pedestrians waiting, stop your vehicle just before the broken white line to give way. An example of ‘closed’ may be vehicles stopped on the opposite carriageway due to congestion that will likely obscure your view of the entire crossing. If it is closed and difficult to see pedestrians, you will need to slow down to an appropriate speed so as you can safely stop if necessary. If it is open and you can clearly see there are no pedestrians waiting or approaching, there will be no need to slow your car down. The speed at which you approach the crossing and cross it depends on if it is ‘open’ or ‘closed’. The examiner will be expecting you to look into your rear view mirror and also to be checking up and down the crossing for pedestrians that may wish to cross. The examiner will be assessing the speed at which you approach a Zebra Crossing and the appropriate observations. If a vehicle is close behind you, ease off the accelerator a little earlier just in case you need to stop at the crossing. On the approach, scan up and down the crossing constantly for any approaching pedestrians or cyclists.Įnsure on the approach to look into your rear view mirror to establish if any vehicles are behind you and if so, how close. The earliest opportunity you have to notice a Zebra Crossing up ahead will provide you with the best chance of dealing with it safely and correctly as this will enable you with more time to spot approaching pedestrians or cyclists. The black and white post along with the amber flashing beacon provides drivers with a noticeable visual hazard warning. You may also notice the flashing lights further ahead down the road situated on the Zebra called Belisha beacons (see diagram below). Whilst looking well ahead whilst driving, look for road signs situated before a pedestrian crossing indicating a crossing ahead. Although regulations inform cyclists to dismount whilst crossing a Zebra, some often young riders, often don’t which results in a cyclist approaching a crossing too fast for drivers to react safely. Cyclists also pose a problem at Zebra Crossings. Pedestrians and cyclists often can enter onto a Zebra Crossings with little regard for traffic.Īlthough this may seem like the fault of the pedestrian or cyclist, the examiner will always look upon the learner driver to take the appropriate action in avoiding a potential accident. Zebra Crossings do fail a large amount of driving tests, not necessarily due to the actions of the learner driver, but pedestrians. It’s important to always look well ahead whilst driving, not only during your driving test, but also once you have passed. In particular, this tutorial explains the correct procedures that car drivers (and those on a driving test) should adhere to when approaching a Zebra Crossing. When driving examiners design the driving test routes, they intentionally incorporate as many various types of pedestrian crossings as possible, especially the Zebra Crossing. This guide explains the rules and regulations used at Zebra Crossings for both the pedestrian and for drivers approaching and stopping at Zebra Crossings. Although Zebra Crossings are gradually being phased out by more sophisticated pedestrian crossings such as the Puffin Crossing, they are still a common sight on UK roads.
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