When crossing the road, always try and cross at a Pedestrian Crossing and use the Green Cross Code (free copies available from the Road Safety Team, see contact details below).  Where there are no crossings available, it is advisable to cross where there is an island in the middle of the road.  Use the Green Cross Code to cross to the island, stop on the island and use the Code again to cross the second half of the road.

At night, if there are no crossings available, try and stand under a street light while waiting to cross, so that traffic can see you more easily.

Pedestrian Crossings:

Zebra Crossings

When using a zebra crossing, always give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross.  Vehicles will need more time to stop when the road is slippery.  Traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing.  Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing.   (Highway Code paragraph 19.)

Pelican Crossings

These are signal controlled crossings operated by pedestrians.  Push the control button to activate the traffic signals.  When the red figure shows, do not cross.  When a steady green figure shows, check the traffic has stopped then cross with care.  When the green figure begins to flash you should not start to cross.  If you have already started you should have time to finish crossing safely.   (Highway Code paragraph 22.)

Toucan Crossings

A Toucan Crossing is a shared crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.  It is a signal controlled crossing and crossing time is monitored by detectors and varied to ensure enough time is given for both pedestrians and cyclists to cross, before allowing traffic to move.  Press the button on the control box.  When the red figure shows you must not cross.  When the green figure and green cycle appear, check the traffic has stopped then cross with care.  There is no flashing green figure phase.

Puffin Crossings

These are signal controlled crossings.  The red and green figures are above the control box on your side of the road.  They also have detectors that can tell when people are waiting to cross.  The detectors also 'watch' the crossing and control the light signals so that you have enough time to cross in safety.  The detectors ensure that traffic is not held up longer than necessary.  When you want to cross, press the button and wait near the push button box.  Watch the red figure signal next to you.  When it changes to green, and you are sure that the traffic has stopped in both directions, you can cross with care.  When the red figure is showing, do not cross.  There is no flashing green figure phase.

For further information on pedestrian crossings, or a free leaflet on any of the above, contact the Road Safety Team at Redbridge Council.