Crossing the road safely
Pedestrians should choose a safe space to cross a road, and make sure they’re visible to drivers and riders.
As a pedestrian, plan where you will walk and always choose the safest place to cross a road.
Keeping safe when crossing the road: stop, look, listen and think.
Drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists must give way to pedestrians who are about to cross or are already crossing the road they are about to turn into, whether turning to the left or the right.
Read more about pedestrians with vision impairment.
Safety tips
- Cross where you can easily see traffic approaching from both directions.
- Check nearby cars have seen you before you step out onto the road.
- The best places to cross the road are:
- a pedestrian crossing (like a zebra crossing)
- a signalised pedestrian crossing
- where there is a pedestrian refuge (island in the middle of the road).
- If you cannot cross the whole road in one go, wait on the pedestrian refuge or median strip.
- Don’t cross a road:
- while using your mobile phone
- near the crest of a hill or a bend (it’s hard for drivers to see you)
- within 20 metres of an intersection, cross at the intersection instead.
- Be careful when crossing the road at a roundabout. Vehicles are not required to give way to you at roundabouts unless there is a pedestrian crossing, so you need to take extra care.
- Watch out for large vehicles turning, they have huge blind spots and may not see you.
Crossing in poor conditions
If you are walking at night or on dark or foggy days, try to:
- wear or carry something reflective and wear brightly coloured clothing
- carry a torch or light at night
- cross the road near street lights, if there are any.
Rules for pedestrians crossing roads
| Types of crossing | Road rules |
|---|---|
| Children's crossings |
Children's crossings are usually close to schools. They operate at the start and end of the school day. They are legally active only when the 'children's crossing' flags are displayed. If a school crossing supervisor is on duty, cross when they say it is safe. |
| Railway level crossings |
Don't cross railway level crossings if:
Wait for the bells and lights to stop and the boom gates to be raised before crossing. |
| Signalised pedestrian crossing |
A green man means you can cross, if it is safe to do so. A flashing red man means you can continue to cross but should not start crossing. A steady red man means do not start to cross. You must wait for the green man before beginning to cross. |
| Tram stops |
To cross the road and board a tram:
When you get off the tram:
Wait for the tram to go before crossing the road to the other side. Don't walk around the front or rear of a tram to cross a road. Other road users cannot see you. |
Fact sheets
- Crossing at intersections with traffic lights (PDF)
- Crossing at intersections without traffic lights (PDF)
- Midblock crossings - choosing a safe place to cross (PDF)
- Using pedestrian crossings and children's crossings (PDF)
- Pedestrians and roundabouts (PDF)
Newsletter inserts
Download a JPG for your newletter
- Crossing at intersections without traffic lights 1, colour
Crossing at intersections without traffic lights 1, black and white - Crossing at intersections without traffic lights 2, colour
Crossing at intersections without traffic lights 2, black and white - Midblock crossings - choosing a safe place to cross, colour
Midblock crossings - choosing a safe place to cross, black and white - Using pedestrian crossings and children's crossings, colour
Using pedestrian crossings and children's crossings, black and white - Pedestrians and roundabouts, colour
Pedestrians and roundabouts, black and white
