Poorly Lit Zebra Crossings?

[Glassman]

Are Zebra Crossings illuminated enough for the darker hours of the day?

I've noticed a few which just don't seem to be lit enough to immediately spot a pedestrian. It might be just the ones I've seen, but for me that could be a case of all being equal. Is a flashing yellow lollipop enough? I'm not so sure.

Was driving my son to football training yesterday evening doing around 20-25. A car in front of us drove through/over the crossing and clearly didn't see a pedestrian stepping onto the crossing. TBF, neither did we, and it was only him raising his hands which showed there was actually someone there. He was wearing dark clothes. The street lamps on this road (like many other roads around the area) are LEDs (or similar) and don't appear to be bright enough (or the posts are simply too high for the power the lamps transmit).

I've noticed this before in the evenings. People are hard to spot at zebra crossings. Surely a load sensor either side of the crossing which would illuminate a brighter light over the stripes would be safer for pedestrians? Or is it that the crossings also need a lit bollard in the middle as well?

Something like this would be ideal:

https://youtu.be/CF7-rz9nIn4

[mmm-five]

Did the pedestrian stop at the crossing and wait for the cars to stop (as they're supposed to do), or just walk straight out?

But to answer your question, yes I am seeing more crossings (and signs) being poorly maintained...broken lights, overgrown foliage, etc.

[Glassman]

mmm-five said:

Did the pedestrian stop at the crossing and wait for the cars to stop (as they're supposed to do), or just walk straight out?

Hard to tell as I didn't see him until he waved his hands. I reckon he may have been waiting and started to cross as the car in front was approaching.

[Riley Blue]

From what I've seen locally even traffic lights on red don't stop traffic. Maybe a rising steel wall sunk into the road is the answer, activated when someone steps on the crossing.

[Largechris]

Sounds like you need better headlights IMHO

[ScoobyChris]

mmm-five said:

Did the pedestrian stop at the crossing and wait for the cars to stop (as they're supposed to do), or just walk straight out?

Once they have a foot on the crossing, they have priority.

From Highway Code:
195
Zebra crossings. As you approach a zebra crossing

look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross
you MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a crossing
allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads
do not wave or use your horn to invite pedestrians across; this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching
be aware of pedestrians approaching from the side of the crossing.

Chris

[mmm-five]

ScoobyChris said:

Once they have a foot on the crossing, they have priority.

From Highway Code:
195
Zebra crossings. As you approach a zebra crossing

look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross
you MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a crossing
allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads
do not wave or use your horn to invite pedestrians across; this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching
be aware of pedestrians approaching from the side of the crossing.

Chris

Yes, ONCE THEY'RE ON the crossing, but the pedestrian is supposed to wait for vehicles to stop before putting a foot on the crossing.

Highway Code Rule 19 said:

Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen you and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped.

I'd say the rule for pedestrians would come into effect before the rule for drivers, but is much less likely to cause an accident if the pedestrian waits for traffic to stop, rather than relying on a car being able to stop on a sixpence when they suddenly step onto the crossing.

If it's clear enough, and I can see a pedestrian approaching a crossing, I will naturally slow down and get ready to stop if they decide to start crossing. If the crossing is obstructed or badly lit, then the onus would be on the pedestrian to make sure they're seen before they decide that they'd like to see who wins in a battle of a 1500kg vs 50kg contenders.

Edited by mmm-five on Thursday 4th November 11:44

[Glassman]

Largechris said:

Sounds like you need better headlights IMHO

Get brighter headlamps.