Pedestrian crossing safety reminder
Date: 20 May 2024
![Graphic from the Highway Code showing vehicles waiting as pedestrians use a zebra crossing (from Rule 19 Zebra Crossings)](/Images/News/2024/ZebraCrossings_CREDIT_Crowncopyright.jpg)
It’s that time of year when folks are out and about on foot more as the sun shines and the weather improves.
Orkney’s Road Safety Forum would like to offer a few reminders about pedestrian crossings.
We’ve all seen concerns expressed on social media about both driver and pedestrian habits at crossings.
So here are some reminders amidst a plea for everyone to work together and keep pedestrians safe.
If you are a driver:
- Do slow down as you approach a crossing, especially when there are pedestrians about.
- Do be prepared to stop quickly.
- Do come to a complete stop when you are waiting for pedestrians to cross.
- Don’t drive threateningly – it could lead to a dangerous driving charge or, worse, an accident with life changing injury and consequences for folk in our community.
- The Highway Code states drivers should give way to anyone waiting at a zebra crossing (the only type of marked crossing in Orkney) and **must** stop for anyone already on a zebra crossing. In practice this means drivers should err on the side of caution and stop if someone looks to be waiting to cross.
- Additionally, at a junction where there is no crossing, vehicles turning must give way to any pedestrians waiting to cross (or already crossing) the road.
If you are a pedestrian:
- Always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push a pram onto a crossing.
- Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Remember, vehicles will need more time to come to a stop when the road is wet, icy or slippery.
- Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing – keep listening and looking out for oncoming vehicles.
- Do wear high viz when out in dim light.
- Don’t be distracted by your phone – this has been a factor in several near misses with pedestrians on our roads.
- Don’t linger near crossings.
Coming into contact with a moving car at any speed can be catastrophic for a pedestrian – a tonne (or more) of metal has the upper hand on the human body every time. Please, please be safe and sensible on our roads - and speak to young road users, and to inexperienced drivers about the huge responsibility drivers have to pedestrians and other roads users such as cyclists and horse riders - each and every time they get behind the wheel.
It is everyone’s individual responsibility to keep themselves up to speed with the Highway Code – you can check the full Code and updates at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code .
Orkney’s Road Safety Forum is a multi-agency group, comprising of Orkney Islands Council; Police Scotland; NHS Orkney; Scottish Fire & Rescue Service; Scottish Ambulance Services and other interested parties, working together to improve safety and reduce accidents on Orkney's roads.
- Summary:
- Category:Community
- External Link: