Crossing safety

Signalised crossings regulate traffic for vehicles and pedestrians at an intersection. Push the button when you approach an intersection to activate the pedestrian signals.

Green person

• Pedestrians: Check that it’s safe to cross and you can start to cross the road.
• Drivers: Stop and give way to pedestrians stepping onto any part of the crossing.

Flashing red person

• Pedestrians: Finish crossing if you’ve already started but don’t start crossing the road.
• Drivers: Stop and give way to pedestrians on any part of the crossing.

Non-flashing/static red person

• Pedestrians: Must not cross the road.
• Drivers: If you have a green traffic signal and it’s safe, you have right-of-way.

Barnes Dance crossings enable all pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time.  All vehicles on all roads of an intersection will have a red signal and must stop. Pedestrians on all corners of an intersection will see a green person followed by a flashing red person and a display of the time remaining in seconds, this tells you how much time you have left before the signals turn red again.

Green person / Flashing red person with timer

• Pedestrians: Check that it’s safe to cross and you can start to cross the road, provided you have enough time to finish crossing before the time finishes.
• Drivers: Stop and give way to pedestrians stepping onto any part of the crossing.

Non-flashing/static red person

• Pedestrians: Must not cross the road.
• Drivers: If you have a green traffic signal and it’s safe, you have right-of-way.

A pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing) is an area of road where pedestrians have the right-of way to cross. They are marked with signs, poles, road markings and white stripes across the road. Some crossings have traffic islands in the middle, creating a refuge where pedestrians can stop.

• Pedestrians: Stop and make eye contact with drivers to make sure they have seen you. When they have stopped, step out. If there is a traffic island in the middle of the crossing, make sure cars have stopped before proceeding
• Drivers: Stop and give way to pedestrians waiting at, already on, or stepping onto any part of the crossing. If there’s a traffic island in the middle of the crossing, stop and give way to pedestrians on your half of the road.

Some crossings have islands in the middle, creating a refuge where pedestrians can stop.

Crossing points mark places where pedestrians can cross the road safely. They may include lowered kerbs, tactile surfaces, kerb buildouts, or a refuge island. Drivers have the right-of-way and pedestrians need to wait for the road to be clear before they cross.

• Pedestrians: Stop and cross when the road is clear, and you can reach the other side of the road safely, give way to drivers.
• Drivers: You have the right of way. Be aware of pedestrians at all times.

Courtesy crossings are usually made of bricks, paving or coloured red and are often raised above the level of the road.

Although not official pedestrian crossings, they do provide a place for pedestrians to cross. Drivers and pedestrians should be courteous and watch out for one another when using a courtesy crossing.

• Pedestrians: Stop, then cross when the road is clear, and you can reach the other side of the road safety. Give way to drivers
• Drivers: Be aware of pedestrians at all times. Although you are not required to stop for them, this is a courtesy crossing

School crossings usually operate before and after school. There are two types of school crossings: a kea crossing and a school patrol crossing.

A kea crossing operates on a crossing point. A school patrol crossing operates on an existing pedestrian (zebra) crossing. They operate exactly the same way.

• Pedestrians: You can cross the road when the school Patrol stop sign is out. When the sign is pulled in, wait at the crossing with the trained school patrol.
• Drivers: When the sign is out, vehicles coming from both directions must stop and stay stopped until all signs have been pulled in and it’s clear to drive.

Gateways indicate to vehicles that they are entering a school zone. They can include signs, bollards or kerb buildouts and painted lines. The painted lines are yellow, or if they also mark a safe crossing point they are painted red. Within a school zone, motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and be prepared for high numbers of pedestrians around school start and finish times.

• Watch and listen for vehicles going in and out of driveways.
• Be courteous when you’re travelling faster than those around you e.g. riding a scooter or mobility scooter. If passing others on the footpath, leave enough room so you don’t give them a fright or put them in danger.
• Listen out for bells. When you hear one, move to the left of the path for scooters, mobility scooters and bikes to pass safely.
• Drivers may not see you if it’s dark. Wear bright or reflective clothing to make you more visible. If you’re walking your dog in the dark, they could wear reflective leads or collars..
• If it’s icy, try wearing a pair of old socks over your shoes to increase grip or consider buying traction grips to put on your shoes.

Crossing the road

• Check before you step. Use your eyes and ears to check it’s safe to cross before stepping out. Vehicles may be too close to stop in time.
• Make eye contact with drivers and cyclists to ensure they’ve seen you.
• Cross at designated crossings if available.
• Avoid crossing between parked cars where drivers can’t always see people waiting to cross.

Dunedin has different types of crossings to help pedestrians cross the road safely. They may operate differently, but they all rely on pedestrians and drivers looking out for one another. For further information on crossing safety visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/crossing-safety