Pedestrians
As a driver, you must not put a pedestrian at risk. In particular, you must give way to pedestrians:
- on or at a zebra crossing (even if they are only waiting to cross),
- on or at a pelican crossing, when the amber light is flashing,
- crossing the road, if you are moving off from a stationary position (for example at a traffic light or a parking space), and
- at a junction, if they have started crossing the road.
Watch out for pedestrians who might attempt to cross the road suddenly from between parked vehicles. Make extra allowances for older people, people with disabilities and children. Watch for pedestrians walking to and from buses.
REMEMBER It is an offence to drive a vehicle partly or fully along or across a footpath, unless you are crossing a footpath to enter or leave a building or other place beside it.
Children
By their nature, children have less experience than other people in using the road, so you should make extra allowances for their behaviour.
Take care when you are:
- driving beside footpaths where there are young children,
- coming out from side entrances or driveways,
- driving in car parks, and
- reversing, in particular where there are young children. You cannot see a small child behind your vehicle through your mirror. If in doubt, get out and check.
Schools
Do not park at a school entrance. Thoughtless parking can confuse parents and their children or block the entrance/exit of a school. It can also force children onto the road to get around your vehicle.
It is an offence if your vehicle blocks a footpath or a cycle track.
You should also take care near school buses, especially if overtaking a bus that children are boarding or leaving. School buses are clearly marked with stickers.
Do not leave any room for doubt. If you see school children, particularly young children, you may use your horn to let them know you're there.
Be careful near children who are cycling. Take extra care near a school, where cyclists may emerge in groups. Remember, it is hard to predict a young cyclist's balance and behaviour.
School wardens
Adult school wardens provide safe road crossing places for children outside or near schools. They wear a hat and an overcoat, which include reflective material. Wardens carry a special sign and are allowed by law to stop traffic.
When a warden raises the "Stop" sign (shown below on the left), you must stop and remain stopped until:
- the school children have crossed the road,
- the sign is lowered, and
- the school warden has safely returned to the footpath.
Junior school wardens
Junior school wardens are the senior pupils of primary schools who operate in teams of six to give the same service given by an adult school warden. When they want traffic to stop, they give a signal to traffic on both sides of the road. When the traffic is stopped, the wardens take up their position and guide the younger children across the road. All vehicles must remain stopped until all the junior wardens have returned to the footpath.
Never park in a place that blocks a warden's view. School wardens must be able to see the road clearly to do their work properly and safely.
