Pedestrian crossings, step by step
Recognise the crossing early, stop when required and protect the whole crossing until it is clear.
Identify the crossing and the people around it
Look for signs, beacons, traffic lights and zigzags. Scan both pavements, not just the person nearest you. A child or someone with limited mobility may need extra time. Check mirrors and approach at a speed that lets you stop without a late rush.
Apply the right stopping rule
At a zebra, you should give way to someone waiting and must give way to someone on the crossing. Parallel crossings also carry a cycle route: give way to pedestrians and cyclists on it. At signal-controlled crossings, obey the traffic lights; green still requires a clear path.
Understand flashing amber correctly
At a pelican crossing, flashing amber means give way to people still crossing; if it is clear, you may proceed carefully. A puffin crossing does not have this flashing-amber phase for drivers. Do not transfer the pelican rule to ordinary amber at a junction.
Keep the crossing available
In a queue, wait until there is space for your whole car beyond the crossing. Do not overtake the vehicle nearest the crossing when it has stopped to give way, and do not park on the crossing or its zigzags. Avoid waving people across: you cannot control another approaching lane.
The light and the actual crossing must both permit you to go.
What would you do in these situations?
Read the situation, decide on an action, then compare it with the explanation.
Your light becomes green while a pedestrian is still in front of you.
What to do
Wait until the person has finished crossing and it is safe to proceed.
Why it matters
A green signal is not permission to intimidate someone or drive into an occupied crossing.
A van in the adjacent lane has stopped just before a zebra crossing.
What to do
Slow and be ready to stop; do not pass the vehicle if it has stopped to give way.
Why it matters
The van can completely hide a pedestrian from your view.
Can I go as soon as my traffic light turns green?
Only if the path is clear and it is safe. Give way to anyone still crossing and do not enter if traffic ahead would leave you blocking the crossing. Watch both sides rather than following the car in front automatically.
Watch the decisions in 3D
Choose the situation you want to understand. In the learning area, you can replay the steps, change the view and answer the lesson questions. The demonstrations are slowed teaching sequences, not real-time speed or pedal-pressure guides.
Use this before or after a driving lesson
Work through the explanation away from the road. In the car, practise with your instructor or a suitable supervising driver. Reading a guide or completing a quiz records understanding, not a practical driving assessment.
Your quizzes and study progress stay in the learning area. For the wider sequence, return to the practical driving curriculum.