Pedestrians

Overview

At a Glance: Pedestrians have no protection in a crash, so the rules give them priority in many places: at crossings, when you’re turning, in shared zones and at driveways. Even where they don’t have right of way, you must slow down and be ready to stop if there’s any danger of hitting someone.

The DKT tests the exact rules at each type of crossing. It also tests your judgement around children, older people and anyone who might step out without looking. The safest answer is almost always the one where you slow down and are ready to stop.

Where You Must Give Way to Pedestrians

You must give way to pedestrians:

• on a pedestrian (zebra) crossing;
• at a children’s crossing;
• crossing the road you’re turning into, at any intersection, with or without lights;
• when you’re making a U-turn;
• anywhere in a shared zone;
• on the footpath when you enter or leave a driveway.

Key Fact: Beyond these rules, you must always slow down and be prepared to stop if there’s any danger of hitting a pedestrian, even someone jaywalking or not looking.

Types of Crossings

Crossing	How it works	What you must do
Pedestrian (zebra) crossing	White stripes, sometimes with zig-zag lines before it	Approach at a speed you can stop from; give way to anyone crossing
Pelican crossing	Traffic lights controlled by pedestrians	Stop on red. At some, a flashing yellow follows red: go if no one is crossing
Children’s crossing	Red-orange flags on posts when operating	Stop and stay stopped until all pedestrians have left the crossing
Children’s crossing with a School Crossing Supervisor	Supervisor holds a “Stop – children crossing” sign	Stay stopped until the crossing is empty and the sign is no longer shown
Combined children’s and pedestrian crossing	Flags out: children’s rules. Flags gone: pedestrian crossing rules	Give way either way
Pedestrian refuge	Island in the middle of the road	Not a crossing, but slow down and be ready to stop

Rules That Catch People Out

• Don’t overtake a vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a crossing. It may be hiding someone you can’t see.
• Don’t enter a crossing if traffic ahead means you’d stop on it.
• Zig-zag lines painted before a crossing warn you that it’s coming up. They don’t warn of animals or slippery roads.
• At a children’s crossing, you stay stopped until everyone has left the crossing, not just your half of the road.

Pedestrian Signals at Intersections

A flashing red “don’t walk” figure means pedestrians must not start crossing, but people already crossing can finish. If you’re turning, you must still give way to anyone on the road. Don’t edge forward or change lanes to get around them.

Children and School Areas

Children can’t yet judge the speed and distance of cars well, and they may run out suddenly. Near schools, parks and playgrounds:

• slow down enough to stop if a child runs out;
• keep your eyes on the children ahead, not your mirrors or speedometer;
• don’t use your horn, because it can startle a child into running.

School zones and the “40 when lights flash” bus rule are covered in our Speed Limits guide.

Busy Areas and Shared Zones

Take extra care near shopping centres, transport hubs, tram stops and parked cars, where people may step out without looking. In a shared zone the speed limit is 10 km/h, pedestrians can walk anywhere on the road, and you must give way to them.

DKT Tip: In these questions, answers built around the horn, high beam, swerving or “keeping up with traffic” are almost always wrong. Look for “slow down and be prepared to stop”.

Vulnerable Pedestrians

Group	Why they’re at risk	What to do
Children	Can’t judge traffic and act unpredictably	Slow right down, be ready to stop
Older people	May be slower and may not see you until late	Give them extra time to cross
People affected by alcohol or drugs	Take more risks and misjudge speed	Take care near pubs, clubs and events
People in poor visibility	Harder to see at night, at dusk or in rain	Slow down and scan carefully

Who Counts as a Pedestrian?

Pedestrians include people:

• walking or running;
• pushing a bicycle;
• in a wheelchair or on a mobility scooter;
• on a skateboard, foot scooter or rollerblades.

A person riding a bicycle is a rider, not a pedestrian.

Skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades may be used on the road only in daylight. The road must have a limit of 50 km/h or less, and either no dividing line or be a one-way road with a single lane.

Practise with the Pedestrians quiz.

Common Mistakes on the DKT

• Thinking you can go once pedestrians pass the middle of the road. At a children’s crossing you wait until it’s completely clear.
• Overtaking a car stopped at a crossing. Never do this.
• Thinking zig-zag lines warn of something other than a crossing.
• Forgetting the turning rule. Pedestrians on the road you’re turning into have priority.
• Believing a flashing red signal forces pedestrians back. People already crossing can finish.
• Treating a refuge island as a crossing. It isn’t one, but you still need to take care.