Pedestrians make up the largest group of road users. Whether it’s walking to school or work, at some time or another everyone is a pedestrian.
Pedestrians can be some of society’s most vulnerable, including children and the elderly, which is why it’s important to build awareness around pedestrian safety. In 2020 alone, there were 138 pedestrians killed in road accidents, according to Road Safety. This is too many.
Pedestrian responsibilities
Pedestrians are classified as those that are on foot, push a bicycle or travel on wheeled devices such as skateboards, wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices. Below we cover a few pedestrian responsibilities and rules that need to be followed to help to keep all road users are safe.
What are the pedestrian crossing road rules?
When crossing a road, a pedestrian must:
- cross by the shortest safe route; and
- not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross safely.
What are the rules at pedestrian crossings with lights?
If the pedestrian lights show a red pedestrian light and the pedestrian has not already started crossing the intersection or road, the pedestrian must not start to cross until the pedestrian lights change to green.
What are the rules for pedestrians on the road?
When walking on the road, a pedestrian must not cause a traffic hazard or obstruction by:
- moving into the path of a driver; or
- unreasonably obstructing the path of any driver or another pedestrian.
A pedestrian must not travel along a road if there is a footpath or nature strip adjacent to the road, unless it is impracticable to travel on the footpath or nature strip.
Do pedestrians have right of way in Australia?
It’s not just pedestrians who need to adhere to crossing rules; there are rules for drivers as well. This includes a little-known rule that drivers must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which their vehicles are turning. In other words, drivers must keep a proper look out and give way to pedestrians if there is a danger of collision, even when there is no marked pedestrian crossing. This law giving pedestrians rights applies whether or not there are traffic lights, stop signs or give way signs.
If you have been injured as a pedestrian while crossing a road without looking, while distracted, or drunk, this doesn’t necessarily prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries. We encourage you to still speak to one of our motor vehicle claim experts to determine your legal rights and potential entitlements.
Distracted walking or “Zombie” walkers
With the arrival of smartphones, we have seen the rise of “zombie” walkers – pedestrians who are engrossed in their devices rather than what’s going on around them. Just like driving, pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings, especially when crossing the road. A pedestrian walking blindly into the path of oncoming cars can have devastating consequences.
Our tip: Try to avoid looking at your phone while you’re walking, especially near roads. If you do need to look at it, make sure you stop and move out of the way of drivers and other pedestrians. Stay alert.
Intoxicated pedestrians
We all know the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol, but walking home along a road whilst intoxicated can also be dangerous. Drinking can reduce your capacity for balance and dull your awareness of your surroundings – a dangerous combination when near traffic.
Our tip: If you are going out and planning to drink alcohol, you should have a plan of how to get home safely. Either take a taxi or rideshare service or, if you’re determined to walk, make sure you have someone sober to accompany you.
Injured on the road? Contact Shine Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident caused by a car, motorcycle, bus, train or tram, our team of Pedestrian Compensation Claim Experts may be able to help.
Sometimes it can be unclear whether the driver or pedestrian are at fault which is why it is important to seek legal advice about your circumstances and prospect of success in bringing a claim.
Our experienced legal team have helped thousands of clients make compensation claims on a No Win No Fee basis*.
Using our claim check tool below, you can determine whether you are eligible to claim, for free, either online or with the help of our team members.
*Conditions Apply
Note: If you wish to check whether you have master these questions, you may proceed to Take a Practice Test now with only questions from this DKT topic.
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# 1. Which one of the following statements is correct? Bicycle riders -
A. Must obey the road rules.
B. Must ride against the flow of traffic so they can be seen.
C. May not travel on heavy traffic roads.
Explanation : PD007 - Pedestrians
# 2. This person is standing on a pedestrian refuge. If he steps out onto your lane you should -
A. Give way to the person if there is any danger of colliding.
B. Slow down and sound the horn to warn the person to move back.
C. Maintain your speed so you do not hold up the traffic.
Explanation : PD024 - Pedestrians
# 3. When you see children on or near the road -
A. You should ignore them and pay attention to the rear vision mirror.
B. You should slow down and be more careful because they may move suddenly.
C. You should reduce your speed by 5 km/h.
Explanation : PD026 - Pedestrians
# 4. A vehicle ahead of you has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. You -
A. May overtake the vehicle if there are no pedestrians on the crossing.
B. May overtake the vehicle provided no cars are coming the other way.
C. Must not overtake the stopped vehicle.
Explanation : PD005 - Pedestrians
# 5. You approach a person crossing the road. You should -
A. Slow down or stop to avoid hitting the person.
B. Slow down and sound your horn to hurry up the person.
C. Maintain your speed and swerve around the person.
Explanation : PD021 - Pedestrians
# 6. When driving near pedestrian crossings, intersections, or school crossings, you should always -
A. Keep your eyes on the speedo.
B. Move into the left lane.
C. Slow down, watch for pedestrians and be ready to make a safe stop.
Explanation : PD011 - Pedestrians
# 7. At a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights, when the amber light starts 'flashing' after the red stop signal, it means -
A. The traffic lights are out of order and pedestrians must not use the crossing.
B. The green light is due. Do not proceed until the green light appears.
C. You may carefully drive through the crossing, if there is no risk of colliding with pedestrians.
Explanation : PD015 - Pedestrians
# 8. You must give way to pedestrians on a marked pedestrian crossing -
A. When they are crossing from your right only.
B. When they are crossing from your left only.
C. If there is any danger of a collision.
Explanation : PD001 - Pedestrians
# 9. If elderly people or children are on a pedestrian crossing you will probably need to -
A. Wait extra time to allow them to cross safely.
B. Drive around them so you don't hold up traffic.
C. Sound your horn to hurry them up.
Explanation : PD003 - Pedestrians
# 10. When driving past parked vehicles, which of the following is it most important to do -
A. Drive in the right-hand lane, if there is one.
B. Stay as close as possible to the vehicle in front of you.
C. Watch for pedestrians, animals and car doors opening.
Explanation : PD013 - Pedestrians
# 11. You drive towards these people on the road. What should you do?
A. Stop and give way if there is any danger of hitting them.
B. Continue at the same speed and sound the horn.
C. Slow down until they are half way through the crossing and drive on.
Explanation : PD017 - Pedestrians
# 12. You drive up to a Light Rail vehicle that has just stopped at a tram stop. What is the most important thing you should do?
A. Take extra care, slow down and give way to the pedestrians.
B. Slow down, but keep moving so you do not delay other drivers.
C. Keep a look out for traffic coming in the opposite direction.
Explanation : PD030 - Pedestrians
# 13. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. You do not have to give way to adults crossing at children's crossings.
B. You must give way to pedestrians if there is a danger of a collision.
C. Pedestrians must cross the road only at marked crossings and intersections.
Explanation : PD025 - Pedestrians
# 14. You approach a crossing and see the scene in the picture. You should -
A. Slow down and stop until the supervisor takes down the sign.
B. Slow down and drive through giving way to the children.
C. Stop and wait for the children until your lane is clear.
Explanation : PD022 - Pedestrians
# 15. You see these zig-zag markings on the road in front of you. What do they mean?
A. Take care and look out for pedestrians at a crossing.
B. Look out for animals on the side of the road.
C. Be careful because the road ahead is slippery.
Explanation : PD018 - Pedestrians
# 16. Which sign painted on the road tells you there is a pedestrian crossing ahead?
A. C
B. A
C. B
Explanation : PD004 - Pedestrians
# 17. Which statement is true?
A. You must give way to pedestrians only at marked crossings.
B. You must give way to pedestrians if there is any danger of hitting them.
C. Pedestrians have no special rights on the roads.
Explanation : PD016 - Pedestrians
# 18. If you see a School Crossing Supervisor holding a sign like this, you must wait until the children -
A. Are out of sight.
B. Are off the crossing and the hand held sign is taken away.
C. Reach the right-hand side of the crossing.
Explanation : PD006 - Pedestrians
# 19. You must give way to pedestrians if there is a risk of hitting them. When driving in poor light, you should -
A. Look more carefully for pedestrians because they are hard to see.
B. Always drive in the right hand lane so you can be away from pedestrians.
C. Keep your headlights on high beam all the time.
Explanation : PD028 - Pedestrians
# 20. When driving in wet weather, you should -
A. Watch out for pedestrians, who may hurry and take risks.
B. Drive in the middle of the road to avoid splashing pedestrians on the footpath.
C. Stop and help aged pedestrians across the road.
Explanation : PD014 - Pedestrians
# 21. Pedestrians who are affected by alcohol, are -
A. Unlikely to walk near the road and do not require your attention.
B. One of the most common groups involved in road accidents.
C. Less dangerous than sober pedestrians because they are more careful after drinking.
Explanation : PD010 - Pedestrians
# 22. When driving in an area where there are many pedestrians (e.g. a bus stop) it is important to -
A. Increase your speed to avoid the chance of hitting them.
B. Slow down and watch for an indication that they will enter the road.
C. Put your headlights on high beam so they can see you better.
Explanation : PD012 - Pedestrians
# 23. At a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights, when the lights change to red you should -
A. Slow down and give way to pedestrians.
B. Stop, wait for pedestrians to cross and for the green light to come on.
C. Stop and continue after the pedestrians have crossed.
Explanation : PD023 - Pedestrians
# 24. You must give way to pedestrians -
A. At all times, if there is any danger of colliding with them, even if there is no marked crossing.
B. Only on marked foot crossings.
C. Only on marked foot crossings and traffic light pedestrian crossings.
Explanation : PD031 - Pedestrians
# 25. When you see older people on or near the road, you should -
A. Sound your horn and keep going at the same speed so you do not hold up the traffic.
B. Drive around them to keep the traffic moving.
C. Slow down and take extra care because they may not see you until you are very close.
Explanation : PD027 - Pedestrians
# 26. When approaching a marked pedestrian crossing and no pedestrians are in sight, you should -
A. Come to a complete stop before the crossing.
B. Slow down and be ready to make a safe stop.
C. Go faster, in case a pedestrian steps onto the crossing.
Explanation : PD002 - Pedestrians
# 27. When driving near children, playing or walking near the edge of the road, you should -
A. Drive close to the children so they will see you.
B. Blow your horn and continue at the same speed.
C. Slow down, and be ready to make a safe stop.
Explanation : PD009 - Pedestrians
# 28. These markings on the road indicate -
A. Places where you can park.
B. Places where pedestrians have special rights.
C. Places where special speed limits apply.
Explanation : PD019 - Pedestrians