Highway Code Rule 1
Pavements and footways (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first. Always remain aware of your environment and avoid unnecessary distractions. Always show due care and consideration for others.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: General guidance (rules 1 to 6)Highway Code Rule 10
Tactile paving. Raised surfaces that can be felt underfoot provide warning and guidance to blind or partially sighted people. The most common surfaces are a series of raised studs, which are used at crossing points with a dropped kerb, or a series of rounded raised bars which are used at level crossings, at the top and bottom of steps and at some other hazards.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 11
One-way streets. Check which way the traffic is moving. Do not cross until it is safe to do so without stopping. Bus and cycle lanes may operate in the opposite direction to the rest of the traffic.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 12
Bus and cycle lanes. Take care when crossing these lanes as traffic may be moving faster than in the other lanes, or against the flow of traffic.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 13
Routes shared with cyclists. Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated from them by a feature such as a change of material, a verge, a kerb or a white line. Such routes may also incorporate short lengths of tactile paving to help visually impaired people stay on the correct side. On the pedestrian side this may comprise a series of flat-topped bars running across the direction of travel (ladder pattern). On the cyclist side the same bars are orientated in the direction of travel (tramline pattern).
Some routes shared with cyclists will not be separated by such a feature allowing cyclists and pedestrians to share the same space. Cyclists should respect your safety (see Rule 62) but you should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them. Always remain aware of your environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Where signs indicate, some routes are shared between pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles. Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles should respect your safety, but you should take care not to obstruct or endanger them. Always remain aware of your environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 14
Parked vehicles. If you have to cross between parked vehicles, use the outside edges of the vehicles as if they were the kerb. Stop there and make sure you can see all around and that the traffic can see you. Make sure there is a gap between any parked vehicles on the other side, so you can reach the pavement. Never cross the road in front of, or behind, any vehicle with its engine running, especially a large vehicle, as the driver may not be able to see you.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 15
Reversing vehicles. Never cross behind a vehicle which is reversing, showing white reversing lights or sounding a warning.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 16
Moving vehicles. You MUST NOT get onto or hold onto a moving vehicle.
Law
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 17
At night. Wear something reflective to make it easier for others to see you (see Rule 3). If there is no pedestrian crossing nearby, cross the road near a street light so that traffic can see you more easily.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossing the road (rules 7 to 17)Highway Code Rule 18
At all crossings. When using any type of crossing you should
- always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push a pram onto a crossing
- always cross between the studs or over the zebra markings. Do not cross at the side of the crossing or on the zig-zag lines, as it can be dangerous.
You MUST NOT loiter on any type of crossing.
Laws
- The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997: Regulation 19
- Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 25(5)
Highway Code Rule 19
Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing (see Rule H2). Keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen you and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped.
A zebra crossing with a central island is two separate crossings (see Rule 20).
Law
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016: Schedule 14 Part 5
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossings (rules 18 to 30)Highway Code Rule 2
If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and
- be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light
- 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.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: General guidance (rules 1 to 6)Highway Code Rule 20
Where there is an island in the middle of a zebra crossing, wait on the island and follow Rule 19 before you cross the second half of the road – it is a separate crossing.
Highway Code Rule 21
At traffic lights. There may be special signals for pedestrians. You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows. If you have started to cross the road and the green figure goes out, you should still have time to reach the other side, but do not delay. If no pedestrian signals have been provided, watch carefully and do not cross until the traffic lights are red and the traffic has stopped. Keep looking and check for traffic that may be turning the corner. Remember that traffic lights may let traffic move in some lanes while traffic in other lanes has stopped.
Highway Code Rule 22
Pelican crossings. These are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push the control button to activate the traffic signals. When the red figure shows, do not cross. When a steady green figure shows, check the traffic has stopped then cross with care. When the green figure begins to flash you should not start to cross. If you have already started you should have time to finish crossing safely.
Section: Rules for pedestrians (rules 1 to 35) Subsection: Crossings (rules 18 to 30)