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Is it Illegal to Drive Over a Zebra Crossing?
Reading time 4 minutes • Last updated on May 4th, 2021
Categories Driving Law »
Last updated on May 4th, 2021What does this mean?
While Zebra crossings are being gradually replaced with traffic light controlled Puffin and Pelican crossings, they remain a common feature of the UK’s road network.
Zebra crossings were first introduced in 1949 and are somewhat iconic due to one appearing on the front cover of the Beatles’s ‘Abbey Road’ album. But many people still do not understand the laws surrounding them.
Putting things as simply as possible, if a pedestrian is waiting at the crossing they have right of way and the driver is obligated to stop. Failure to stop is a traffic violation and can result in a fine and/or points being put on the motorist’s license.
In some cases, Zebra crossings are monitored with CCTV and those that flout the rules are sent a penalty notice or court summons at a later date. Hitting a pedestrian at a crossing carries even greater penalties for obvious reasons. These can include driving bans and even a custodial sentence.
The rules relating to Zebra crossings are not just limited to times when a person is waiting to cross.
In total, there are eight laws for driving over crossings set out in the Highway Code. Sections 5: 191 and 5:192 state that all crossings must be kept clear at all times, even when there is queuing traffic. No vehicle is permitted to park on a crossing, nor is it legal to overtake a moving vehicle close to a crossing (with the exception of cyclists). Often, zig zag lines are painted on the road close to the crossing, meaning that area is also off limits for parking.
Where a motorist’s view of either side of the crossing is limited due to traffic, extra care must be taken as pedestrians could attempt to cross between stationary vehicles.
Pedestrians must be allowed to cross in their own time and the motorist should not harass them by edging forwards, sounding their horn, or revving their engine.
Section 5: 195 of the Highway Code relates specifically to Zebra crossings and states that motorists should look out for pedestrians waiting to cross in good time and be ready to slow down and stop.
Right of way automatically passes to the pedestrian as soon as they step onto the crossing. However, if a pedestrian runs out without waiting for traffic to see them then it may not always be possible to stop.
In adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain and snow, the motorist should approach all crossings with additional care and allow extra time for stopping.
As well as seeing black and white stripes painted on the road, spotting a Zebra crossing should be relatively simple as they are typically accompanied by striped poles topped with flashing lights (known as Belisha beacons) that can be seen from further down the road. In many cases, road signs will also placed in advance to warn the driver that they are approaching a crossing.
As well as looking for signs of a crossing and scanning for pedestrians, drivers are also advised to check in their rearview mirror before braking to establish how close following vehicles are away.
In conclusion, Zebra crossings are not difficult to understand and the chance of breaking traffic laws is small providing the motorist plans their actions in advance and does not approach the crossing recklessly.
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