Pedestrian Crossings
You must share the road with pedestrians. Special markings on the road show where pedestrians have special rights.
The information given in this section is a guide only and is subject to change at any time without notice.
This information is also available in the Road Users Handbook.
You can access the full text of the NSW Road Rules on the NSW Legislation website.
You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning.
You must also give way to pedestrians – even if there is no marked pedestrian crossing – if there is any danger of colliding with them.
Stop signs may be placed at an intersection immediately after a pedestrian crossing. You must stop at the stop sign even if you have already stopped at the pedestrian crossing.
If the road beyond a pedestrian or children’s crossing is blocked, you should not drive onto the crossing.
Pedestrian crossings
Pedestrian crossings allow people to cross the road safely. These crossings are usually marked by white stripes on the road and are also known as zebra crossings.
Some pedestrian crossings have zig zag lines marked on the road before the crossing. Take extra care when you see a zig zag line on the road as this means you are approaching a crossing which you may not be able to see because of a curve, crest or dip in the road.
Do not overtake any vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a crossing.
Pedestrian refuges
A pedestrian refuge is an island in the middle of the road. The island allows pedestrians to cross the road in two stages.
Approaches to pedestrian refuges are signposted. When you are approaching a pedestrian refuge you should look out for pedestrians.
Pelican crossings
A pelican crossing is a special kind of pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights.
The traffic lights for drivers have a different colour sequence to other situations.
After the red light, the traffic lights start to flash yellow. At the same time the pedestrians see a flashing red DON’T WALK sign.
When the flashing yellow signal starts you may drive carefully through the crossing if there is no risk of hitting a pedestrian.
Children’s crossings
These are part-time crossings which operate just before and after school hours, as well as other times such as school excursions and lunch times. They are highlighted by red flags with the words CHILDREN CROSSING on them.
When the flags are displayed you must slow down and stop before the stop line if a pedestrian is on or entering the crossing. You must not proceed until all pedestrians have left the crossing.
You must not stop on or within 20 metres before or 10 metres after, a children’s crossing.
Combined children’s and pedestrian crossing
Some pedestrian crossings are used as children’s crossings at some times during the day. The display of CHILDREN CROSSING flags means that the children’s crossing is operating.
When the flags are not displayed the crossing operates as a normal pedestrian crossing.
School Crossing Supervisors
As you approach a pedestrian crossing or children’s crossing where a School Crossing Supervisor is displaying a ‘STOP Children Crossing’ sign, you must slow down and stop. You may proceed when the School Crossing Supervisor no longer displays the sign in your direction or has indicated it is safe for you to proceed.
Level crossings
At a level crossing a pedestrian must not start to cross when a red light is displayed.
If warning lights commence flashing or warning bells begin ringing and a pedestrian has already started crossing the railway line or tram track, they must finish crossing without delay.