A zebra crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing that allows pedestrians to cross the road safely. Unlike some other crossings they are uncontrolled by traffic lights and can be identified by white staggered lines that run across the road. Although most pedestrians and road users will be aware of this type of crossing, they may not be aware of who has the right of way.
Yesterday I was driving in my local town and stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross at the zebra crossing where they were waiting. However, as I stopped and he walked onto the crossing, an approaching vehicle on the other side of the road failed to stop for the pedestrian, driving over the crossing, failing to show any care towards to the pedestrian. Luckily, the pedestrian saw the vehicle and realised they weren’t going to stop.
Although many of us know a zebra crossing is a safe place for us to cross because vehicles approaching the crossing must stop and allow us to do so, there has been some confusion on who would be to blame if they didn’t stop and therefore caused an accident.
Rule 19 of the Highway Code says:
Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen you and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped.
It is important that pedestrians know that although a zebra crossing is a safe way for them to cross a road, it does not give them an absolute right. As the Highway Code states, they must wait for cars coming towards the crossing to stop. If someone does become involved in an accident when using a zebra crossing, the negligence may be split between both parties. This is assessed up on a number of factors:
- The speed of the driver
- Was he / she keeping a proper look out?
- Did the pedestrian look before walking out?
- Did they see the driver and step out anyway?
If you have been involved in an accident involving a pedestrian crossing, and have suffered injury due to that accident, then you may be able to make an injury compensation claim. For free legal advice speak to one of our fully qualified lawyers at the Injury Lawyers for the best advice about claiming.