Justification for carrying out a side road crossing trial

The traffic trials carried out by Westminster City Council were under its powers as a local highway authority.

 

Bearing in mind the significant increase in the percentage of drivers that gave way to pedestrians after the experiment, compared with those that gave way before, the trials were justified on road safety grounds.

 

Three optional designs were trialled at some 10 locations in order to judge the most effective option for specific locations.

 

New rule H2 of Highway Code

A change in government attitude towards pedestrian safety is evident in the new Rule H2 of the Highway Code. Specifically at junctions, drivers should give way if pedestrians are waiting to cross or are actually crossing. The only distinction between this rule and that regarding driver behaviour at zebra crossings is that at the latter, drivers MUST give way if pedestrians are already crossing, while at junctions drivers should give way

 

Methodology of pre-construction consultation

A design and road safety statement was made public, together with detailed descriptions and technical drawings of each proposal. Local people and groups representing people with disabilities were involved in discussions at pre-design stages.

 

Post construction assessment

Schemes were monitored to check the percentage of drivers that gave way to pedestrians after construction compared with pre-construction

 

Clarity for drivers

The advantage for drivers is that the courtesy crossing that looks like a zebra crossing might be confusing.

 

The advantage is that a zebra crossing is a clear indication that pedestrians are likely to be waiting to cross and may also be crossing. Whereas while many current courtesy crossings will be well-known and understood by local drivers, those unfamiliar with a location will be unaware of the potential danger.

 

Distinction between controlled and uncontrolled crossings

Drivers will understand that at formal zebra (controlled) crossings the rules still apply:  drivers MUST give way if a pedestrian is crossing.

 

At a junction (uncontrolled) crossing the rule is that they should give way if a pedestrian is crossing. In practice this drivvers allows some discretion to manoeuvre out of danger.

 

In all cases, pedestrians are advised not to start to cross a road at crossings until the vehicles have actually stopped.

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