Pelican Crossing

To pass the driving theory test, learner drivers must be familiar with the different types of pedestrian crossings. One of the main pedestrian crossings in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland is the pelican crossing.

During a driving test, the route can often include many different types of pedestrian crossings, including pelican crossings. You can also be tested on your understanding of pelican crossings in driving theory tests.

What is a pelican crossing?

Pelican crossings are road crossings which are activated by pedestrians pressing a button. This action causes a reaction in the lighted beacon of the crossing that acts as a signal to halt the traffic, allowing a pedestrian to cross the road safely.

The way in which you approach pelican crossings has a clear impact on the overall safety of pedestrians and other road users. Understanding how to successfully navigate a pelican crossing is crucial for drivers.

Pelican crossings were first introduced in the UK in 1969, but new pelican crossings are no longer installed.

Why is it called a pelican crossing?

The term pelican crossing comes from the first letters of the phrase “PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled.”

The “PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled” description is an explanation of how the crossings work. They are controlled by a pedestrian pushing a button to trigger a lighting pattern that allows a person to cross the road without risk.

The abbreviation PELICON has then been amended to ‘pelican’. This is because pelicans are a well-known bird species found in the UK and Ireland. When these crossings were introduced, it was thought that people would readily remember the name.

The use of the names of birds to apply to road crossings has been expanded more recently to include toucan crossings and puffin crossings too.

Difference between puffin and pelican crossings

Puffin crossings are intelligent in a way that pelican crossings are not. Puffin crossings contain two different sensors to react to pedestrians. Because of these sensors, they are a safer form of crossing. Since 2016, the UK Government has been replacing pelican crossings with puffin crossings.

The main design difference between puffin and pelican crossings is the location of a puffin crossing’s instruction lights. They are always on the same side of the road as the pedestrian, whereas on pelican crossings they are on the other side of the road.

Puffin crossings also do not use flashing lights to signal to either pedestrians or traffic in the way pelican crossings do.

Difference between toucan and pelican crossings

Toucan crossings share exactly the same features as puffin crossings. They also use smart sensor technology to make them intelligent. Their lights are also on the same side of the road as the button, unlike pelican crossings where they are on the other side of the road.

intelligent in a way that pelican crossings are not. The main design difference is the location of a toucan crossing’s instruction lights. They are always on the same side of the road as the pedestrian, whereas on pelican crossings they are on the other side of the road.

Additionally, toucan crossings are aimed at cyclists, but pelican crossings are not.

Difference between zebra and pelican crossings

A zebra crossing is a traditional pedestrian crossing marked with white stripes and amber beacons. It works by relying on motor vehicles slowing down as they approach the crossing. This then allows pedestrians to cross safely.

Where a pelican crossing relies on a person pressing a button to make it work, a zebra crossing does not employ any technology. It is simply a clearly designated crossing area and has no lights which can change depending on pedestrian actions.

What are the lights of a pelican crossing for motorists?

This is the most important part of the operation of pelican crossings for those looking to pass a driving theory test.

There are four possible light instructions for vehicles concerning pelican crossings:

• Static red light: Stop and wait.
• Flashing amber: You can drive if the crossing is clear of pedestrians
• Green: Go.
• Amber: A solid amber light means the lights are about to change to red. A driver must slow down and prepare to stop.

Some pelican crossings also have cameras fitted that can detect drivers stopping in the crossing area. Stopping in this area will result in you failing a driving test, and could also lead to a fine and/or points on a driving licence.

What does a pelican crossing flashing amber mean?

Unlike puffin crossings or toucan crossings, the pelican crossing has a flashing amber light. Drivers are permitted to continue driving forward on a flashing amber light ONLY if the entire crossing is clear of pedestrians.

Accidents at pelican crossings usually happen to occur due to pedestrians and drivers not checking it is safe before proceeding. When the lights change to either flashing amber or to green, always check the crossing is totally clear of pedestrians before driving forward.

What lights do pedestrians see at pelican crossings?

Pedestrians see the following pattern of lights linked to the lights to motorists:

• Green person illuminated: A pedestrian can cross. (The motorist will see a red light.)
• Green person flashing: The pedestrian should complete but not begin a crossing as the light is about to change. (The motorist will see flashing amber.)
• Red person illuminated: The pedestrian should not cross. (The motorist will see either a green light or a static amber light.)

The Highway Code and pelican crossings

The Highway Code has several specific rules about pelican crossings which must be obeyed. The most important of these are:

• Failure to Stop at a Red Light: It is an offence not to stop at a red light at a pelican crossing. Not only will you fail your test if you stop directly on a pelican crossing, but you may also get a traffic fine if seen by the police or caught on camera.
• No Stopping on a Crossing: Stopping directly on a pelican crossing is a traffic offence. If the traffic is busy, always ensure the car in front of you has cleared the crossing before you proceed. You also need to ensure there is sufficient space on the other side for you to clear the crossing completely before entering the crossing area.
• Zigzag lines: Vehicles are not allowed to park or obstruct the zigzag lines found on either side of pelican crossings. This is because doing so will reduce visibility for pedestrians using the crossings, and this will increase the potential for accidents.
• Overtaking: It is illegal to overtake another motor vehicle at a pelican crossing, but you can overtake cyclists.

In addition to these fixed rules, there are some other things that an examiner will be checking for when you deal with a pelican crossing as part of your driving test. They will want to be confident that you are checking your mirrors accurately as you approach, and that you are aware of pedestrians.

Gesturing with hand movements to pedestrians at a pelican crossing which invites them to cross should also be avoided. A pedestrian may interpret this action as meaning it is safe to cross when it is not, and this could cause an accident.

Pelican crossing signs

Pelican crossing road signs are a red edge triangle with the silhouette of a person in black crossing a dotted line as the main image.

These road signs are sometimes – but not always – placed to warn you of a pedestrian crossing ahead. On your driving test, keep an eye out for these signs to give you plenty of advance warning of pelican crossings.

Pelican crossings with a central island

Pelican crossings on bigger roads can sometimes have a central island. If you are approaching a pelican crossing with a central island, you must always treat the whole crossing as one road with a single pelican crossing. This means you must always wait for pedestrians who are crossing from the other side of the island.