Pedestrians And Zig-Zag Lines.

[rccatnap]

I know that drivers must not overtake or park in the vicinity of a pedestrian crossing where there are zig-zag lines, but are pedestrians permitted to cross the road over them, or must they only use the actual crossing provided?

[Mamyalynne]

As far as I am aware you can cross the road where you wish as long as you do so with due care.

The zig zags are road markings dor drivers.

[THECORBYLOON]

The Highway Code states, "always cross between the studs or over the zebra markings. Do not cross at the side of the crossing or on the zig-zag lines, as it can be dangerous."

As it states, "Do not" as opposed to, "You must not", crossing over the zig-zag lines is not unlawful.

[davebro]

More pedestrians are hit on designated crossings than at other places - just saying...

[Hopkirk]

If someone is trying to cross on the zig zags, you wouldn't have to stop for them.

[Barsel]

It's one of my pet peeves when people are trying to cross a busy road when there is a crossing a few yards down the road.
I pointed this out to a couple of young women once and told in their lovely language what I should do.

[douglas9401]

Good luck arguing that, Hopkirk.

Loonies stepping off pavements are a protected species in this country.

[THECORBYLOON]

Motorists must stop only if the pedestrian is ON the crossing, not merely waiting to cross.

[Mamyalynne]

rccatnap didn't ask if it was recommended, rather is it permitted.

[THECORBYLOON]

There are proposed changes to the Highway Code and one of them is giving way to those waiting at the crossing but I'm not sure if that would be supported by a change in Regulations.

[Barsel]

Corby maybe so, but I got pulled up about that when I was taking my driving test.
I got away with it because I said it would have been dangerous for me to stop.
Now I stay more alert looking for people waiting to cross and don't wait for them to step out before I stop.
It's manners after all.

[THECORBYLOON]

The Government asked for responses to the proposals and 95% agreed with the stopping to allow folk waiting at the Zebra Crossing to cross.

I always do but at present, there is no obligation to do so.

[Goofy]

I don't believe there are any 'musts' for pedestrians.
Most of Highway Code is sense, rather than law.

[Barsel]

What would be the difference if you knocked down and killed someone on a crossing or someone just crossing on the zig zag lines?

[THECORBYLOON]

You believe incorrectly. For example, the Highway Code says about crossings,

"You MUST NOT loiter on any type of crossing.
Laws ZPPPCRGD reg 19 & RTRA sect 25(5)"

[bhg481]

I think the bottom line is that motorists should heed the recommendations in the Highway Code to reduce the risk of them losing their licence; pedestrians should heed the recommendations to reduce the chance of them losing their life.

[THECORBYLOON]

That was for GOOFY.

[Mamyalynne]

Barsel, both incidents would be fully investigated.

[Hopkirk]

I wasn't suggesting mowing people down.
I always stop for people waiting at crossings.
I do not stop to allow people across if they are trying to cross near a crossing, but obviously will stop if someone has started to cross.

[tiggerblue10]

Agree with Mamy @ 16.10. You can cross wherever you like as long as it is safe to do so. However, having said that, if you're at the zigzags why not just go the the zebra crossing bit?

[davebro]

Timing is important. A crossing near me - the pedestrian pushes the button but the light don't change for what seems like a minute or two - so they take a chance & cross when there's a gap in the traffic. Then the light changes & the traffic has to stop but there's no pedestrian waiting to cross!
It's crazy & annoying for both pedestrians & drivers. I've complained about but nothing is done.