18At all crossings. When using any type of crossing you should
- always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push a pram onto a crossing
- 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.
Zebra crossings. 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. Drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing (see Rule H2). 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.
Rule 19- Zebra crossings have flashing beacons
A zebra crossing with a central island is two separate crossings (see Rule 20).
20Where there is an island in the middle of a zebra crossing, wait on the island and follow Rule 19 before you cross the second half of the road – it is a separate crossing.
Rule 20- Zebra crossings with a central island are two separate crossings
21At traffic lights. There may be special signals for pedestrians. You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows. If you have started to cross the road and the green figure goes out, you should still have time to reach the other side, but do not delay. If no pedestrian signals have been provided, watch carefully and do not cross until the traffic lights are red and the traffic has stopped. Keep looking and check for traffic that may be turning the corner. Remember that traffic lights may let traffic move in some lanes while traffic in other lanes has stopped.
Rule 21- At traffic lights, puffin and pelican crossings. *At pelican crossings only.
22Pelican crossings. These are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push the control button to activate the traffic signals. When the red figure shows, do not cross. When a steady green figure shows, check the traffic has stopped then cross with care. When the green figure begins to flash you should not start to cross. If you have already started you should have time to finish crossing safely.
23Puffin crossings differ from pelican crossings as the red and green figures are above the control box on your side of the road and there is no flashing green figure phase. Press the button and wait for the green figure to show.
24When the road is congested, traffic on your side of the road may be forced to stop even though their lights are green. Traffic may still be moving on the other side of the road, so press the button and wait for the signal to cross.
25Toucan crossings are light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and cross at the same time. They are push-button operated. Pedestrians and cyclists will see the green signal together. Cyclists are permitted to ride across.
Rule 25-Toucan crossings can be used by both cyclists and pedestrians
26At some crossings there is a bleeping sound or voice signal to indicate to blind or partially sighted people when the steady green figure is showing, and there may be a tactile signal to help deafblind people.
27Equestrian crossings are for horse riders. They have pavement barriers, wider crossing spaces, horse and rider figures in the light panels and either two sets of controls (one higher), or just one higher control panel.
Rule 27- Equestrian crossings are used by horse riders. There is often a parallel crossing
28‘Staggered’ pelican or puffin crossings. When the crossings on each side of the central refuge are not in line they are two separate crossings. On reaching the central island, press the button again and wait for a steady green figure.
Rule 28- Staggered crossings (with an island in the middle) are two separate crossings
29Crossings controlled by an authorised person. Do not cross the road unless you are signalled to do so by a police officer, traffic warden or school crossing patrol. Always cross in front of them.
30
Where there are no controlled crossing points available it is advisable to cross where there is an island in the middle of the road. Use the Green Cross Code (see Rule 7) to cross to the island and then stop and use it again to cross the second half of the road.
Roads aren’t only for motorists and cyclists - they are for pedestrians too. As with cars, there are a number of rules, some better known than others, that govern how pedestrians use the road - as well as fines for breaking them.
Part 14 of Road Rules 2014 covers pedestrians. Some of the key rules in this section are:
230 Crossing a road - general
1. A pedestrian crossing a road:
(a) must cross by the shortest safe route, and
(b) must not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross the road safely.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
236 Pedestrians not to cause a traffic hazard or obstruction
1. A pedestrian must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
2. A pedestrian must not unreasonably obstruct the path of any driver or another pedestrian.
238 Pedestrians travelling along a road (except in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy)
1. A pedestrian must not travel along a road if there is a footpath or nature strip adjacent to the road, unless it is impracticable to travel on the footpath or nature strip.
Read the full road rules for pedestrians.
Is it true that you must give way to the right in all situations?
That's not always the rule.
At an unsigned crossroad, you must give way to all vehicles approaching from your right. But if you want to turn right, you must give way to all oncoming vehicles too.
If you're driving on a road that ends in a T-intersection, you must give way to all vehicles on the continuing road.
And naturally, if you come to a stop sign or a give way sign, you must give way to all other vehicles as well.
So what happens at an intersection with both a stop and a give way sign? Contrary to popular belief, a stop sign is not more powerful than a give way sign. The signs effectively cancel each other out and normal give way rules still apply. Both must give way to all vehicles, then because car A is turning right, it must give way to car B.
Finally, if you're planning to do a U-turn, you must give way to all other vehicles before turning.
Knowing the give way rules helps you drive safely and avoid crashes.
There is an emerging trend in the increasing number of pedestrians crossing the road illegally.
Road Safety Issue:
Rights must be matched by responsibilities. All pedestrians must abide by the prevailing laws and regulations.
Pedestrians must realise that in crossing the road against the red lights, or in a dangerous or prohibited location, they not only put their own safety in peril, they also risk the lives and limbs of other road-users, particularly cyclists.
Regulations:The Australian Road Rules 1999 state:
234 Crossing a road on or near a crossing for pedestrians
(1) A pedestrian must not cross a road, or part of a road, within
20 metres of a crossing on the road, except at the crossing or
another crossing, unless the pedestrian is:
(a) crossing, or helping another pedestrian to cross, an area of
the road between tram tracks and the far left side of the
road to get on, or after getting off, a tram or public bus; or
(b) crossing to or from a safety zone; or
(c) crossing at an intersection with traffic lights and a
pedestrians may cross diagonally sign; or
(d) crossing in a shared zone; or
(e) crossing a road, or a part of a road, from which vehicles
are excluded, either permanently or temporarily.
Offence provision.
Note Intersection, public bus, traffic lights, tram and tram tracks are
defined in the dictionary, safety zone is defined in rule 162, and shared
zone is defined in rule 24.
(2) A pedestrian must not stay on a crossing on a road for longer
than necessary to cross the road safely.
(3) Subrule (2) does not apply to a person who is helping
pedestrians cross a road at a crossing if the person is permitted
to do so under another law of this jurisdiction.
(4) In this rule:
crossing means a children’s crossing, marked foot crossing or
Note Children’s crossing is defined in rule 80, marked foot crossing is
defined in the dictionary, and pedestrian crossing is defined in rule 81.
More information://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywalking