Zebra Crossings- Give way or not?

spacebanana on 12/09/2014 - 11:18
Last edited 12/09/2014 - 12:29

Me and me my friend are having the argument and we can't find anything on vicroads website explicitly stating one way or another.

We live in Victoria, and I am under the impression that you do not need to stop for pedestrian crossings (zebra crossings) if there is NOT a sign saying 'give way to pedestrians', yellow flashing lights or anything along those lines.

Obviously I know you need to stop if there are lights or a sign.

There is a 'crossing' near my place and I don't even think it is zebra striped and people feel happy to just stroll out in front of my car and then give me death stares as I have to lock up the brakes.

I could easily be wrong ( and I am happy to be corrected) but I am quite sure my driving instructor told me these rules.

Thanks for the input :)

Edit: I was wrong.
I always do give way to pedestrians, I am often a pedestrian so I hate when people don't give way.
I was just unsure whether it was a legal requirement to stop or not
Next time I see my driving instructor I am going to show him the link in the first comment :)

Automotive

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 12/09/2014 - 11:29
    +16

    Jesus…

    (2) A driver must give way to any pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing.

    http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_reg/rsrr200920…

    (3)     A pedestrian crossing is an area of a road—

    (a)     at a place with white stripes on the road surface that—

          (i)     run lengthwise along the road; and

          (ii)     are of approximately the same length; and

          (iii)     are approximately parallel to each other; and

          (iv)     are in a row that extends completely, or partly, across the road; and

    (b)     with or **without** either or both of the following—

          (i)     a pedestrian crossing sign ;

    r. 81

              (ii)     alternating flashing twin yellow lights.
    • spacebanana on 12/09/2014 - 12:27
      +1

      Thanks a lot mate :)
      Really informative!
      exactly the type of reply I was after!

      • Scrooge McDuck on 14/09/2014 - 09:49
        +2

        and then give me death stares as I have to lock up the brakes.

        Legally:

        Whether you have the right of way or not, you must do everything in your power to avoid an accident.

        Morally:

        You should care about the well-being of your fellow man. You wouldn't want to maim or kill anyone, right?

        To be honest you don't sound like you have a safe attitude to driving. You should always be scanning your surroundings for hazards and be able to slow down when you identify a potential one. In this case when you see a pedestrian you should intuitively notice their body language. If it looks like they might try to cross the road you should cover the brake and/or stage the brake. This applies whether their is a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity or not.

  • raymond y on 12/09/2014 - 11:35

    Pedestrians generally have right of way. There have been cases where motorised have been charged even when pedestrians have stepped out into traffic. Just drive on the defensive and be aware of your situations. Why risk hitting someone when you can avoid it?

    Check out: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-r…
    for more info, open up the Road Safety Road Rules and go to the relevant section (section 81).

  • pyramid on 12/09/2014 - 11:36

    Generally, pedestrian are at more risk then motorist when they walk on road so give them a way. Thats general rule…

  • stargalaxy on 12/09/2014 - 11:59
    +2

    If Zebra crossing, definitely you have to give way, even when there are double lanes on each way, as long as someone stepped on the zebra lane, you have to stop. I do get confused about other stripes of crossing, yellow and black, etc, but usually I just stop and let people walks first as if an accident happens and someone dies, I can't imagine how I can forget that I killed someone when I can avoid it.

  • altomic on 12/09/2014 - 12:02
    +19

    well, I'm glad you're in Vic.

  • IIGnomeII on 12/09/2014 - 12:03
    +1

    Pedestrians have right of way regardless if the zebra crossing shows the signs or not

  • JimB on 12/09/2014 - 12:07
    +8

    Jesus, just use your common sense.

    What's the point of the Zebra crossings if not to warn you to give way to pedestrians?

    Can I suggest you fit flashing yellow lights on your car so I can avoid driving or walking near your car.

    • spacebanana on 12/09/2014 - 12:26

      Relax mate haha
      I never said I don't stop, I always give way to pedestrians.
      I was just not sure if it was technically the law.
      As I am often a pedestrian, I am always really mindful of them and try to give way as much as possible.

      I just don't appreciate when people walk in front of my car on a very quiet road (not at a zebra crossing) and then give me death stares.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2014 - 18:07
      +3

      What's the point of the Zebra crossings if not to warn you to give way to pedestrians?

      Street decoration. Everyone knows that horizontal stripes are slimming.

  • ujwols on 12/09/2014 - 12:07
    +7

    Have you got the driving license already ? I hope not

    • spacebanana on 12/09/2014 - 12:22

      yeah mate, almost 3 years.

  • Shadow54 on 12/09/2014 - 12:09
    +2

    Zebra crossing or not, be alert and let the pedestrians go. It is an Australian phenomenon that pedestrians will cross roads with looking left or right, so as a motorist be mindful of this at all times. I guess it starts at school where there's a nice lollipop man or lady to stop the naughty cars; rather than an education that roads are dangerous places and to be alert, whether pedestrian, cyclist or motorist.
    Try crossing a road without looking properly in many overseas countries - you're D-E-A-D!!

    • SlickMick on 13/09/2014 - 13:45

      I agree, although apparently in some countries masses of pedestrians think they can exert authority over drivers (maybe that's the rule in their country??), and I've experienced these masses here. It's like driving through a heard of sheep. Then I have a fight with my wife because apparently it isn't courteous to drive through blasting your horn.

  • spacebanana on 12/09/2014 - 12:22

    Thanks for all the replies !
    I was definitely mistaken about the zebra crossings but on my drive home I had a look at the one near my house and there are no zebra lines whatso ever.

    I do always stop at this crossings and usually even at the ones when there is no zebra marks, I had just always thought i did not have to stop, but alas, I was wrong.

  • paaj on 12/09/2014 - 12:27

    When in doubt, give way. Not worth accidentally hurting someone.

    • SlickMick on 13/09/2014 - 13:53
      +2

      On a pedestrian crossing, I agree. It's very uncool to knock down pedestrians on a crossing. But if there's no crossing, my preferred approach is to have a backup plan if the idiot panics, but otherwise keep a consistent line and speed, and blast the horn just at the moment the koala looks up at the headlights.
      I got a young guy blindly walking across a 3 lane road with headphones on one day. Genuinely felt bad for him - I'm sure he would have spoiled his pants. But I consider it my duty to educate these people, because Darwin's law indicates that they won't live to reproduce unless they learn.

  • MondaySleeper on 12/09/2014 - 12:40
    +1

    Jeeeesus.. I cant believe.

    If its ped crossing, you MUST give way.
    Even other wise, if there is a chance for an accident or hitting a ped, you need to stop / give way. No excuse here, whatsoever. Often you will see lunatic people from Mars wandering and jumping on the road, esp. on Weekends.

    As "altomic" said, I am happy that you are in VIC (and feel sorry for VICs). And happy for you that you cleared your doubt without sticking onto your understanding.

    Sab

  • Orion on 12/09/2014 - 13:51

    Cant believe you have a licence?

  • slow on 12/09/2014 - 14:16

    It's a no brainer to me that you give way, however when walking I always check in case someone like the OP is coming. I am amazed how many people just walk without looking and assume that cars will stop.

    What happens in Australia is quite unusual compared to many other countries, where motorist take absolutely no notice of pedestrian crossings

  • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2014 - 18:04
    +2

    OP first says:

    There is a 'crossing' near my place and I don't even think it is zebra striped and people feel happy to just stroll out in front of my car and then give me death stares as I have to lock up the brakes.

    then edits first post to add:

    I always do give way to pedestrians, I am often a pedestrian so I hate when people don't give way.
    I was just unsure whether it was a legal requirement to stop or not

    o_O

    Anyway, OP, I'm the kind of gal who always walks across a zebra crossing confidently (at a slower pace at first, just to make sure the damn car stops first). Often you get cars that see you at the crossing but don't even plan to stop. I like the mild panic in their eyes when they realise I'm going to walk right in front of them and watching their brakes squeal to a halt (I don't care too much if I get hit - I don't value my existence that much anyway lulz)

    Plus they get a nice sarcastic smile from me too :)

    • Shadow54 on 12/09/2014 - 19:06
      -1

      Said like a trus Aussie pedestrian!

      • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2014 - 19:14
        +2

        If you're referencing your previous post re: Australian pedestrians not looking left or right before crossing, then no - I don't just walk out like a dimwit without looking. I maintain eye contact with the car approaching the crossing even before I've landed a foot on the road :P

        P.S. if you think it's "Aussie" pedestrians who don't check before walking out onto a street, you need to get out more, bro.

        • Shadow54 on 15/09/2014 - 08:51
          -1

          Inner city Melbourne is overflowing with don't-look pedestrians. Observed them closely yesterday while at Queen Victoria Market and later on Errol Street (North Melbourne). Possibly just an urban phenomenon? If you live elsewhere, quite likely things are different …………

        • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2014 - 12:23

          @Shadow54: Probably just a city/CBD thing then. I mean, my perception may be skewed by the media here but the number of stories recently of pedestrians getting hit/killed in the CBD has been higher than the zero? stories of the same happening in the suburbs here in Sydney lol. But again.. media is a filter of reality, so that could be an incorrect conclusion on my part.

      • SlickMick on 13/09/2014 - 13:58

        I trust that was meant positively and not negatively? I wish a could carry a little iron rod for smashing out headlights. (My smile doesn't really do it.)
        I seem to have way too strong an opinion on this subject :) But I reckon I have rights as a pedestrian and I have rights as a driver, and I don't see why I should give up those rights.

  • anna10 on 13/09/2014 - 07:40

    If you are in Canberra pedestrians make appoint of never looking before crossing. They specialise in striding along the street and then abruptly turing and leaping onto a crossing.

    As a pedestrian, who has had broken bones due to sports injuries, this reckless behaviour completely baffles me.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2014 - 10:15

      One of my old housemates in Canberra was hit by a car a few years before I'd met her. Result: permanent, constant back pain and dependence on strong pain meds. She walked out onto the road without looking, too.

    • SlickMick on 13/09/2014 - 14:04

      You know it's their right, right? You're supposed to slow down at a crossing and be ready to stop if there is any chance someone is going to step out.

      I think they're crazy for doing it, because drivers like the op and perhaps yourself can't be trusted to do the right thing. The real solution is to get you guys off the road.

      Just to be clear, the reckless behaviour is the driver who isn't ready to stop at a crossing where the law very clearly requires you to.

  • terrys on 13/09/2014 - 08:43

    In S.A at least, not only do you give way to any pedestrian on a crossing, but also to a pedestrian crossing a road at an uncontrolled [no lights] intersection that you are turning into. If I stop for a pedestrian when I am turning left, and some Legend in their own Lunchbox hits the horn behind me in frustration, I'm more than happy to pull on the handbrake, walk back, and ask then exactly what the traffic emergency is so I don't get caught up in it.

    My and others' safety is not contingent on your not being late.

  • Roney on 13/09/2014 - 12:35

    Zebra cross is a safe passage for pedestrians, nothing further than that. Don't let Australian motorists lapse to London's habit of not stopping at the crossing unless you take the kamikaze step first.

    • Davo1111 on 13/09/2014 - 13:36

      london? Italy was the worst. Our tour guide said "yeah they will stop, you've got to take the leap of faith first"

  • cloudy on 14/09/2014 - 07:32
    +1

    You remind me of a car who horned and tried to run me over at a zebra, it's amazing how little people need to know to get a license, I say this generally, not directed at the op.

    I do commend the op for actually wondering and asking, most people just think they are right.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2014 - 10:45

    Anybody using the road, pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, road train driver or terrex 6300 mining dumper operator (or maybe not the last one), should never assume right of way regardless of road rules. How many accidents happen when both parties claim or justify "I thought blah blah blah".

    Even as a pedestrian at crossings, I double triple quad check to make sure no car is going to be flying round the corner and to make sure a car is stopped or slowing before I cross.

    As a driver my rule is give way and wait-and-see because you can never rely 100% on everybody to follow the rules.

    As a side note about pedestrian and drivers, do you notice pedestrians love to walk ON the road in the suburbs? I am wondering why they do that? It is sometimes slightly annoying as a driver at night when turning around corners.
    Is it because the road is brighter or the footpaths are shitty?

    • cloudy on 14/09/2014 - 11:15

      If u have ur lights on, most pedestrians will see you miles away. And would surely jump off the road.

    • Davo1111 on 14/09/2014 - 15:04

      As a side note about pedestrian and drivers, do you notice pedestrians love to walk ON the road in the suburbs? I am wondering why they do that? It is sometimes slightly annoying as a driver at night when turning around corners.

      It's usually bumpy and dangerous on the footpath, plus people don't cut their trees to a proper height.

  • Pooky1 on 14/09/2014 - 12:20

    Judging by the amount of times my kids & I have almost been run over at zebra crossings there are a lot of people who dont realise they are meant to stop. In Victoria you are also not allowed to stop in the middle of a zebra crossing whilst waiting for traffic. Also dont get me started on people who dont stop behind trams when they are letting passengers on/off grrrrr.

  • rodericb on 15/09/2014 - 12:51

    If you come across a Zebra crossing you only need to give way to zebras and other four legged horse-like creatures (such as horses and even camels). This is because they are not smart enough to know the road rules and have special crossings made for them.

    Pedestrians are smart enough to know about road rules and know that the larger road user has right of way. That means a car has right of way over a pedestrian. Thus you don't need to stop at a zebra crossing should a person use it. In fact, you should beep your horn and ask them if they are a zebra, then tell them that the zebra crossing is for zebras only, not lazy humans!

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