Pedestrians are among the road users most likely to be killed in South African traffic. The K53 rules give them right of way at crossings and expect drivers to look out for them everywhere else.
At a pedestrian crossing
- Slow down as you approach and be ready to stop for anyone stepping onto the crossing, already on it, or clearly waiting to use it.
- If the crossing has no raised island in the middle, give way to pedestrians on any part of it.
- If it has a raised island, give way to pedestrians on your half of the road.
- Wait until pedestrians are clear of your vehicle before you move off.
Rules that protect crossings
- Do not overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. It may be hiding someone who is crossing.
- Do not stop within 9 m before a crossing, so that you do not block other drivers’ view of it.
- In a queue, do not move onto the crossing unless there is room for your whole vehicle on the other side.
Turning at intersections
When you turn into a road where pedestrians are already crossing, wait and let them cross. A green robot lets you go, but it does not give you the right to drive through people.
Pedestrian signals
A red figure tells pedestrians not to cross. When it flashes, people who have not started crossing must wait for the green figure, and anyone already crossing must finish quickly. Expect slow walkers still on the road when your light turns green.
What pedestrians must do
Pedestrians may not step onto a crossing so suddenly that drivers cannot stop, and they should cross only at a crossing or intersection, or more than 50 m away from one. Drivers must still watch for people who do not follow these rules.
Signs to know
- Pedestrian crossing ahead: a warning sign for a marked crossing ahead.
- Yield to pedestrians (R2.1): give priority to pedestrians crossing, or about to cross, the road.
- Pedestrians prohibited (R218): pedestrians may not go past the sign, but drivers must still look out for them.
Test yourself
These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.
How close to a pedestrian crossing may you stop?
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