Pedestrian safety Pedestrian safety
Both pedestrians and motorists have a shared responsibility for keeping people safe.
- Using different types of pedestrian crossings.
- Using pedestrian refuge islands and raised platforms.
- Learn about crossing at other parts of the road.
Driveways and footpaths
- Pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles entering or exiting a driveway across a footpath, but you should stop and check hidden driveways, where drivers backing out may not be able to see you.
- When walking along a footpath, hold hands with children and keep them on the house side of footpath.
- Use our Report a problem form to let us know if you notice a problem with one of our footpaths (such as cracks, breaks, bumps, potholes or water pooling on the surface). Learn more about AT's reponsibilities for footpath and berm maintenance.
Find out more on the NZ Transport Agency website about sharing the road.
Pedestrian crossings
Traffic light signal crossing
A signalised crossing is where there is a pedestrian light (red/green man) at a set of traffic lights.
- Press the button at the signalised crossing, the red man will light up on the pole across the road. This means do not cross.
- Walk when green man is lit. Double check for left and right turning traffic before crossing.
- Flashing red man - continue to cross, but do not step onto crossing. This means vehicles will start moving again soon.
- Do not step onto the road when the red man is lit.
Pedestrian zebra crossing
Pedestrians have the right of way at a pedestrian zebra crossing but it is important to make sure the vehicles have stopped. A pedestrian zebra crossing has black and white poles with orange discs, diamond road markings and white stripes on the road.
- Allow enough time for vehicles to stop.
- If vehicles are approaching wait for them to pass or stop before stepping out and then take a life saving second look before crossing.
- Vehicles must give way to pedestrians on any part of the crossings.
Staggered pedestrian zebra crossing
- Check for traffic from your right, until you reach the island in the middle of the road and then check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross the rest of the road.
- Vehicles must stop and give way to pedestrians on their half of the road.
School crossing patrols
Pedestrian refuge island
A pedestrian refuge island is a raised island with a cut-through. These are designed to allow pedestrians to cross busy roads in two stages and gives pedestrians a safer place to wait before making the second stage of the crossing.
- Pedestrians do not have the right of way at a pedestrian refuge island. These are not zebra crossings.
- Double check for traffic from your right before you step onto the road. Cross (only if safe to do so) until you reach the refuge island in the middle of the road. Double check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross the rest of the road.
Raised platforms
A raised platform is where the road surface changes, for example, to paved areas, it is an indication for drivers to reduce their speed and to be aware of pedestrians.
- Pedestrians do not have the right of way at raised platforms. These are not zebra crossings.
Crossing at roundabouts
- Crossing at a roundabout is not advisable. However if a crossing facility is provided - use it with care as motorists are watching for vehicles.
- Never assume a driver has seen you.
- Cross away from a roundabout where the visibility is better.
Crossing at intersections
- When crossing at intersections, remember to check behind and in front for turning vehicles.
Crossing at median strips
- This is not a zebra crossing. If you are crossing where there is a median strip, use it with extreme care, as turning traffic will also use it.
- Do not walk along a median strip. This is illegal.
Crossing the road with no crossing facility nearby
If there is no crossing facility within 20 metres from where you want to cross:
- Then select a place to cross that is free from obstructions so that you can see and be seen.
- Keep away from parked vehicles.
- Keep on looking for traffic when crossing the road.
- Ensure you allow yourself enough time to complete the crossing safely.
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