The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997

Prospective

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Instrument)

This Instrument revokes the existing Regulations relating to Zebra and Pelican pedestrian crossings and the General Directions relating to Pelican crossings and replaces them with a single Instrument. This comprises Regulations relating to both Zebra and Pelican crossings and to a new type of pedestrian crossing to be known as a Puffin crossing, together with General Directions relating to Pelican and Puffin crossings. The Instrument applies to England and Wales and to Scotland.

Part I of the Instrument comprises the Regulations. In Section I of the Regulations, regulation 1 provides for their citation and for a collective citation for both Parts of the Instrument. The existing Zebra and Pelican Regulations are revoked by regulation 2 and regulation 3 provides for the interpretation of the Regulations. Some of the definitions also apply for the interpretation of the Directions (see direction 3).

Section II of the Regulations provides for the form of the three types of crossing. Regulation 5 specifies by reference to Schedules 1 to 4 the traffic signs and road markings required to indicate each type of crossing and regulation 6 specifies by reference to Schedules 1 and 4 road markings for the give-way and stop lines and for controlled areas. The dimensions of the traffic signs and road markings may be varied in accordance with regulation 7 and regulation 8 enables additional equipment to be provided at pedestrian crossings. Regulation 9 authorises the placing of certain other traffic signs at or near a crossing, if the traffic authority think fit. By virtue of regulation 10, non-compliance with Section II is to not affect the validity of a crossing or controlled area if the non-compliance does not materially affect its general appearance, does not affect the proper operation of the signals at a Pelican or Puffin crossing and does not relate to the size of the controlled area.

Section III prescribes the indications which are to be conveyed to traffic by the signs and road markings at crossings. The significance of vehicular light signals at Pelican and Puffin crossings is prescribed by regulations 12 and 13. Regulation 14 prescribes the significance of the pedestrian light signals at Pelican crossings and the figures on pedestrian demand units at Puffin crossings and regulation 16 provides for any additional traffic signs placed under regulation 9 to convey the indications prescribed for them by the Traffic Signs Regulations 1994.

Section IV of the Regulations makes provision with respect to the movement of traffic at and in the vicinity of crossings. By virtue of regulation 18 a driver must not stop his vehicle within the limits of any sort of crossing unless he is prevented by circumstances beyond his control or he has to stop to avoid injury or damage. Regulation 19 prohibits pedestrians from delaying on crossings.

Regulation 20 contains a general prohibition on the stopping of a vehicle (which for this purpose does not include a pedal cycle) within a controlled area save where one of the exceptions in regulations 21 and 22 applies.

Regulation 23 prohibits any vehicle (including a pedal cycle) from going across a Pelican or Puffin crossing when a red light is showing and regulation 24 contains a general prohibition against overtaking by motor vehicles at crossing. Regulation 25 gives pedestrians precedence within the limits of a Zebra crossing and regulation 26 specifies the circumstances in which a pedestrian has precedence over vehicles at a Pelican crossing.

Schedule 1 makes detailed provision for the size, colour and type of traffic signs and road markings to indicate Zebra crossings and Zebra controlled areas, Schedule 2 for the traffic signs to indicate Pelican crossings, Schedule 3 for the traffic signs to indicate Puffin crossings and Schedule 4 for the road markings to indicate Pelican and Puffin crossings and controlled areas and stop lines.

Part II of the Instrument contains General Directions as to the placing of traffic signs and road markings at Pelican and Puffin crossings. The Directions impose requirements relating to the placing of vehicular light signals at both types of crossings (direction 4) and to the placing of pedestrian light signals and indicators for pedestrians at Pelican crossings (direction 5) and pedestrian demand units at Puffin crossings (direction 6).

Direction 7 restricts the use of certain additional traffic signs and direction 8 imposes requirements as to the colouring of the containers and mounting of light signals. The Secretary of State’s approval is required for equipment (as defined) used in connection with crossings (direction 9) and the Secretary of State’s power of special direction is preserved by direction 10.

These Regulations and Directions have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 83/189/EEC of 28th March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ 1983 L109, p. 9) as amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC of 22nd March 1988 (OJ 1988 L81, p. 75) and European Parliament and Council Directive 94/10/EEC of 23 March 1994 (OJ 1994 L100, p. 30). Copies of the Directives can be obtained from the Stationery Office.