Pedestrian crossing safety reminder

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.