![]() ![]() Stop ! – Look ! – Listen ! and if in doubt don’t step out.Knowing your pedestrian rights and responsibilities can keep you and vehicles safe on the road. Just as the driver has to anticipate the possibility of the pedestrian not conceding right of way, the sensible pedestrian needs to be aware that there are drivers who will do likewise. Having had right of way will be of little consolation from a hospital bed. The laws of physicsĪdmittedly, it is a trite point to make but regardless of what the Highway Code says, the pedestrian will always come out worst against a heavy lump of moving metal. Even then, pedestrians should keep walking to a minimum and try to keep as far away from the hard shoulder / motorway lanes as possible.Īs for the motorway driver who notices the presence of pedestrians, the same duties arise as are outlined above. This includes when your car breaks down and you need to use the emergency telephone on the hard shoulder. In fact, pedestrians aren’t allowed on motorways or slip roads except in an emergency. Pedestrians definitely don’t have any right of way on motorways. Also walking in single file and wearing visible (preferably high visibility and reflective) clothing is recommended ( see Rule 2). In the UK, we drive on the left and the Highway Code recommends that pedestrians should keep to the right (facing oncoming traffic) but cross over at right hand bends to the left so that the oncoming traffic retains maximum visibility. Pedestrians are perfectly entitled to walk on country lanes and other roads which have no pavement however they have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety. Who has priority on roads with no pavement? In that scenario, the pedestrian does not have right of way but an approaching driver should not think they are entitled to assume the pedestrian definitely won’t step out.Īs a rule of thumb in any situation, if the driver could or should have anticipated it was likely the pedestrian might step into the road, the driver has to drive with proportionate caution. Each situation depends on its own facts and Highway Code Rule 206 gives some good examples of situations in which drivers with right of way should be extra vigilant such as passing parked vehicles especially ice cream vans or driving past buses which have pulled up at a stop.Īnother good example would be a zebra crossing situation where the pedestrian is clearly likely to be using it but has yet to step forward onto it. This is because the law recognizes that driving a car or motorbike always puts other people at risk and pedestrians are the most vulnerable of all road users (see Highway Code Rule 204)Īccordingly, drivers are always under a heavy duty of care. The driver might still be to blame even if he crashes into a pedestrian even though the driver has right of way. If the driver has right of way is any collision the pedestrians fault ? When the amber light is flashing on a signal controlled pelican crossing, a driver MUST give way to any pedestrians on the crossing ( and of course when the red light shows see Highway Code Rule 196).A driver MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a Zebra Crossing (Highway Code Rule 195).If a pedestrian has started to cross a road at a junction and a driver wants to turn into that road the pedestrian has priority and the driver should give way (see Highway Code Rule 8).It is a good time to remind ourselves how to observe the law and keep safe when it comes to pedestrians and drivers. Many of us are stepping outside once a day to make the most of our exercise regime during this difficult time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |