Pedestrian crossings
A Children's Crossing is an area of road with white stop lines marked on the road and "Children Crossing" flags mounted at each side of the road. These crossings are near schools and are not operative unless the "Children Crossing" flags are displayed.
Drivers have a strict duty of care to proceed at a speed which enables them to stop at a Children's Crossing, if required. When the flags are in place, motorists are required by law to stop and give way to pedestrians on or entering the crossing. If a driver stops at a Children's Crossing for a pedestrian, the driver must not proceed until there is no pedestrian on or entering the crossing.
A School Crossing Monitor may also be at the crossing and when the monitor displays a stop sign, motorists must stop at the line and give way to pedestrians on or entering the crossing. The driver must remain stationary until the Monitor no longer displays the sign towards the driver, or otherwise indicates that the driver may proceed.
Children should be guided by the Crossing Monitor, stop at least one step back from the edge of the road and not move onto the crossing until the monitor instructs them to cross.
If there is no Crossing Monitor, children must remember to:
- Stop one step back from the edge or shoulder of road.
- Look in all directions for approaching traffic.
- Listen in all directions for approaching traffic.
- Think about when it is safe to cross. It is safe when the road is clear or the traffic has stopped.
- Walk straight across the road - don't run.
- Keep looking and listening for traffic while crossing.
A Pedestrian Crossing (zebra crossing) is an area of a road that has white stripes on the road surface, running across the road. The crossing must also have a pedestrian crossing sign. At some of these crossings a set of alternating flashing twin yellow lights are used to highlight that a crossing is operating.
Drivers must be alert for people on the crossing and MUST stop at the line nearest them if there is a pedestrian on or entering the crossing. Drivers may then proceed if the person who has crossed is clear of the vehicle and there is no one else following them or crossing from the other side.
A Pelican Crossing is controlled by a set of traffic lights and a set of pedestrian lights. Pedestrians press a button to activate the lights.
If the traffic light is green the driver may proceed through the crossing. If the yellow or red traffic light is showing they must stop at the stop line. If the yellow flashing traffic light appears after the red signal they may proceed only after pedestrians clear the carriageway on which the motorist is travelling.
A pedestrian light has an illuminated green or red pedestrian symbol or one of the words 'walk' or 'don't walk'. If the red pedestrian light is displayed and the pedestrian has not yet entered the crossing, they must not start to cross until the light changes to green. If the light changes to flashing red or red while crossing the road, the pedestrian must not stay on the road for longer than necessary to cross safely.
Pedestrian lights may also be located at intersections controlled by traffic lights. Motorists facing a green traffic light, who intend turning left or right, must give way to pedestrians crossing the path of the turning vehicle.
Pedestrians may also cross at intersections controlled only by traffic lights (no pedestrian lights). Motorist must take care and give way to pedestrians.
In all crossing situations pedestrians must
STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK
For more information on correct procedures, contact the Road Safety Branch.
The Territory Insurance Office funds road safety initiatives in the Northern Territory through motor accident compensation contributions received from motorists.