Pedestrian crossings: zebra, pelican, puffin and toucan
Which crossing is which, when you must give way, what flashing amber means, and why you never stop on one. Each step matches the numbers on the pictures, and there is a quiz at the end.
Which crossing is which
Zebra
Black and white stripes and flashing amber globes, no lights. Give way to people waiting; once someone is on it, you must.
Pelican
Lights, with a flashing amber after the red. On flashing amber, give way to anyone on the crossing; if it is clear, go on with care.
Puffin
Lights with sensors that see people waiting and crossing, and hold the red until they are across. No flashing amber: the same sequence as traffic lights.
Toucan
Like a puffin, for people walking and cycling. Cyclists ride across alongside the people walking.
Parallel
A zebra with a cycle crossing beside the stripes. Give way to people and cyclists waiting; you must once they are on it.
Equestrian
Lights for horse riders, usually beside a toucan, with higher push buttons.
Zebra crossings
Zig-zags ahead: look for people near the crossing
The zig-zag lines and the flashing amber globes tell you a zebra is coming. Look at the pavements on both sides, and at anyone heading for it.
Someone waiting: slow down in good time
Check your mirror, then slow down early, so you can stop smoothly. Allow more time on a wet or icy road.
Stop at the give way line; let them cross
Wait with the handbrake on if it will be a while. Do not wave them across, rev your engine or creep forward.
Across and clear: look again, then go
Check nobody else is about to step on, from either side, then move off.
Pelican, puffin and toucan crossings
- Red: stop at the solid line, as at any traffic lights.
- Pelican, flashing amber:
When the amber light is flashing, you MUST give way to any pedestrians on the crossing.
If the amber light is flashing and there are no pedestrians on the crossing, you may proceed with caution.
- Puffin and toucan: no flashing amber;
the light sequence for traffic at these three crossings is the same as at traffic lights.
- Green but someone still crossing?
Give way to anyone still crossing after the signal for vehicles has changed to green.
- A pelican with an island:
Pelican crossings which go straight across the road are one crossing, even when there is a central island.
Wait for people coming from the far side too.
Zig-zags, queues and patience
- No parking on the zig-zags, and no overtaking the vehicle nearest the crossing, moving or stopped.
- Queue beyond the crossing? Wait before it. Stopped on it, you block people crossing.
- A blocked view of the crossing, from queues or parked vehicles, means someone could step out between them. Slow down.
- Be patient. No revving and no edging forward while people cross.
Pedestrian crossings quiz
Ready when you are
- 10 questions
- About 3 minutes
- Answers explained
- Nothing saved
Questions people ask
Do you have to stop for someone waiting at a zebra crossing?
You should give way to people waiting to cross, and you must once they have stepped onto the crossing. In practice, slow down early and stop for anyone waiting.
What does flashing amber mean at a pelican crossing?
Give way to anyone on the crossing. If it is clear, you may go on with caution. Only pelicans have it: puffins and toucans go straight from red to red and amber, like traffic lights.
What is the difference between pelican, puffin and toucan crossings?
A pelican has a flashing amber after the red. A puffin has sensors that hold the red while people are crossing, and no flashing amber. A toucan works like a puffin but is for cyclists as well as people walking.
Can you overtake on zig-zag lines?
You must not overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing, or one that has stopped to let people cross. You must not park on the zig-zags either.
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