Crossing the Road - It's a Minefield

In NSW, recent crackdowns on jaywalking within the Sydney CBD have been widely publicised in the media. Do you know when and where you are legally allowed to cross a road?

A pedestrian is not only a person travelling on foot; people travelling via a skateboard, roller blades, a low powered motorised scooter or a wheelchair are also considered to be pedestrians. Regardless of how you choose to get around, there are rules and regulations governing pedestrian road use. Part 14 of the Australian Road Rules 2012 lists over 16 separate rules that pedestrians are required to follow. 

Road rules

According to the Road Rules (NSW) 2014, pedestrians are required to cross a public road using the shortest, safe route and not stay on the road for longer than necessary (Rule 230). Effectively, this means that you could be penalised for using your mobile phone as you cross the road and the maximum fine is $2,200.

If you are crossing at an intersection with pedestrian lights, traffic lights, or signs bearing instructions you must also obey the relevant rules associated. For instance, If you are within 20 metres of a marked crossing area, you must cross the road at the designated crossing (Rule 234). A failure to use the crossing has a maximum fine of $2,200. 

Another common misconception is that pedestrians assume they can start crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing when the red pedestrian light is flashing. This is incorrect (Rule 231). Pedestrians may only start crossing when the pedestrian light is green. 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.

A red pedestrian light is defined as an illuminated red pedestrian symbol (whether or not flashing). If a pedestrian approaches a pedestrian level crossing that has a red pedestrian light (whether or not flashing), he or she must not start to cross the crossing while the light is red. Crossing when the light is red will incur a maximum fine of $2,200 (Rule 235A).