THE HIGHWAY CODE
  • Read
  • Download PDF
  • Audiobook
  • Changes and answers
  • Categories

Which type of crossing has a flashing amber phase, and what does it mean for you as a driver?

5/3/2014

9 Comments

 
Pelican Crossings are the crossings which are signal-controlled crossings where flashing amber follows the red 'Stop' light. This crossing is made aware to the drivers with its traffic lights and zig-zag road markings.

As a driver, you MUST give way to any pedestrians on the crossing, when the amber light is flashing. If the amber light is flashing and there are no pedestrians on the crossing, you may proceed with caution.

After the lights start flashing, watch out for people making a last-minute dash. Be prepared to let them cross but no not wave others onto the crossing. 
rossing flashing amber phase
9 Comments
Katja
28/7/2017 09:23:19

In the area where I live (central London, in the vicinity of the Lords cricket ground ) there is a pedestrian crossing traffic light that turns into flashing green after very few seconds (it does not stay green for long to give pedestrians time to cross if not walking fast). As the green light flashes, the traffic light for the vehicles turns yellow and starts flashing as well. At that point the drivers start driving and cross the pedestrian crossing relatively aggressively in most cases. This leaves me frequently in the middle of the road and unable to cross the remaining section. Is there anyone I can contact (police, the city authority) that would enforce the code you mention above? I know there have previously been fatalities for a similar reason in the area.

Reply
Fabafaga
23/8/2018 14:31:16

Hi

Reply
Peter Rogers link
17/11/2017 08:46:39

I suggest that you direct your comment to the Highways section at the relevant local borough council. Suggest they extend the length of the red light. You could also contact your local ward councillor.

Reply
Ross Templeman
7/5/2018 16:24:49

I'm not a driver myself, but I have sometimes wondered; if the light is green and a pedestrian at the crossing is simply impatient and starts to cross regardless (they have pushed the button, but have decided not to wait for the lights to change), but a car, seeing the light is green, goes through the pelican crossing (assume the car and pedestrian are on opposite sides of the road). Who is in the wrong from a legal standpoint when the car could potentially stop, but is reasonably close to the crossing when the pedestrian decides to prematurely start walking?

Regards

Reply
uio9uiyhui link
14/5/2018 10:59:36

yfghgjhguij

Reply
Bfuebfuenf
23/8/2018 14:31:59

Vbgqhamjau,kaamiaymjayathabtanhtahnar

Reply
RMCF
2/7/2018 10:07:37

@Ross - a PDI here - The factors that would be considered in terms of the vehicle driver are:
Was the speed they were approaching/crossing the crossing reasonable and safe?
Were they driving with due care and attention considering that at pedestrian crossings there is a high risk of pedestrians entering the road at any time.
The pedestrian would clearly be "wrong" in so much as they entered on a red, but the vehicle drivers liability would equally be in question as we are not allowed carte blance to mow people down on greens at pedestrian crossings.

Reply
Learner
8/6/2020 22:11:46

This seems potentially dangerous to me. Why not just get ready to stop at amber, stop at red, get ready to go at flashing amber and go at green? Seems easy to understand to me an absolutely minimises risk.

Drivers being allowed to proceed when the light is still flashing amber (with caution or otherwise) creates the risk of hitting the very "people making a last-minute dash" that the last paragraph warns them to be prepared for.

As a learner driver I'm curious why it's preferable for me to drive through a flashing amber (however cautiously) rather than just wait for green.

I found this page after getting an incorrect answer on a practice test I'm doing where "always wait for green before proceeding" was wrong. Seems mad to me to invite danger like that (however small it might)!

Reply
David Mottram
1/2/2022 15:57:25

The new rules say I am to give way to a pedestrian when turning into a side road. I should do this if they have started to cross or are waiting to cross. How am I supposed to know the difference between someone waiting to cross and someone just standing on the corner?
I, while cycling this morning, observed someone standing on a corner looking at their mobile phone for a number of seconds. Not obviously waiting to cross, I thought, then, without warning or really looking, they started off across the road. Am I supposed to be a mind reader?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Changes And New Rules 

    Answers for drivers

    ​Road safety tips

    Ask a Question

    Categories

    All
    Cockpit Checks
    Dual Carriageways
    Junctions
    Legal Responsibilities
    Moving Away And Stopping
    Other Traffic
    Parking
    Pedestrian Crossings
    Pets
    Reversing
    Roundabout
    Tyres


Choose:

Audiobook
Mobile App
Text to read
PDF to download

Contacts
Feedback
Tips:

Updates and New Rules
Road safety tips
Answers for drivers
Driver’s Stories

Categories
Driving licence:

Theory Test
Hazard Perception
Traffic signs quiz
Driving Courses Online
Crown Copyright. The content have been sourced from the 2022 edition of The Official Highway Code, and reproduced under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy

  • Read
  • Download PDF
  • Audiobook
  • Changes and answers
  • Categories