Do pedestrians always have right of way at a zebra crossing?

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You must give way to anyone who has moved onto a zebra crossing. Since the Highway Code changes in January 2022, you should also give way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross. So in practice: if someone is on the crossing or clearly waiting at the kerb, slow down and be ready to stop.

What the Highway Code says

• Look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop.
• You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross.
• You must give way when a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.
• Allow more time to stop on wet or icy roads.
• Do not wave or signal to pedestrians to cross – another vehicle may be coming.
• Be patient and do not sound your horn or rev your engine.

Zig-zag lines and other rules

The white zig-zag lines on each side of a zebra crossing mean you must not park or wait there, and you must not overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or a vehicle that has stopped to let people cross. Zebra crossings are marked by black and white stripes and flashing amber Belisha beacons.

Is it different on a crossing with an island?

If a zebra crossing has a central island, each half is treated as a separate crossing.

Questions like this appear in the “Vulnerable road users” and “Rules of the road” topics. Practise them in our free theory test questions or take a full mock test. Source: Highway Code rules 195 and 191.