Pedestrians
General guidance for pedestrians
Highway Code Rules 1-6 has more information for pedestrians and in summary:
- Pavements or a path should be used if provided.
- Look both ways before stepping on the road,
- If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road to see oncoming traffic.
- Take extra care and be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light and keep close to the side of the road.
- It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
- Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright (e.g. a torch) or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.
Crossing the road safely
Parents should teach their child how to cross the road safely using the Green Cross Code (Highway Code rules 7 to 17). In summary:
A. First find a safe place to cross. Use a formal crossing point if nearby.
B. Stop just before you get to the kerb.
C. Look all around for traffic and listen.
D. If traffic is coming, let it pass.
E. When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run.
Don’t be a smartphone zombie 72% of drivers often see pedestrians step into the road while distracted by their phone.
Pedestrian Crossings
There are three main types of crossing facility:
- Uncontrolled or informal crossings; for example a pedestrian refuge or dropped kerb,
- Zebra and Parallel crossings; which give pedestrians and cyclists (as appropriate) a right of way over vehicles when on the crossing, and at which drivers must give way, and
- Signal‑controlled crossings; which require drivers to stop at red lights and give users a push button to register the demand for a green signal.
There are many factors that need to be satisfied before a crossing can proceed. These include:
- Cost and funding. There is limited funding for crossings so needs to be prioritised
- Site survey-road layout and width visibility, proximity to other junctions and infrastructure
- Pedestrian crossing times and difficulty
- Pedestrian survey, including a count of pedestrians
- Traffic survey, including a count of vehicles
- Vehicle speeds
- Review of collision and casualty data
- Impact on other road users and residents
Request for Crossings are generally made by organisations such as Parish, Town or City Councils, Councillors or Schools. Crossing near schools will require the school to complete a School Travel Plan. Individuals members of the public will need to link up with one of these organisations.
To make an enquiry, please email transportplanning@devon.gov.uk with information about the issues and the location.
Pavement Parking
Pavement parking creates hazards for pedestrians, particularly blind or partially sighted people, children, and wheelchair and pushchair users because it forces people out into the road, putting them at risk from traffic.
Report pavement parking in Devon online or call 0345 155 1004
Living Streets has produced some posters encouraging considerate parking which can be displayed in your local community.
Idling engines
Fumes released from idling engines contribute to air pollution and its estimated that 36,000 early deaths a year can be linked to air pollution.
Toxic air disproportionately impacts children from the moment they are conceived. Motorists should turn off their engines if stationary for more than 10 seconds.
Living Streets and the British Lung Foundation have created an Anti-Idling Toolkit on how to run an Anti-Idling campaign in the local community.
Mobility scooter users
See & Scoot is a training resource for mobility scooter users. The purpose of the training is to highlight the hazards which mobility scooter users may encounter whilst out on the roads.
Other useful websites
Visit Share this Space to see our tips for how everyone can enjoy Devon’s roads and paths. You can Download our free Road Safety Communications Toolkit there too.
How school communities can set up a Walking Bus or Park and Stride.
Think.gov.uk contains advice and educational resources.