Sharing the Road with Pedestrians in Victoria: Crossings, Driveways and Schools

Pedestrians include people on skateboards, rollerblades, wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices, and anyone pushing a bicycle. You must try to avoid a collision even if the pedestrian is doing the wrong thing.

Crossings

• Approach every pedestrian crossing at a speed from which you can stop safely. You must not overtake a vehicle stopped at one.
• At a children's crossing (flags displayed), stop if anyone is on or entering it and wait until they have left. Also stop if a hand-held Stop sign is shown.
• Pedestrian lights work like normal traffic lights. At crossings with a When Flashing Give Way To Pedestrians sign, you may go on the flashing yellow, but only after giving way to anyone still crossing.

Intersections and paths

• When you turn at an intersection (not a roundabout), give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering, even without a green walking figure. Be patient with older people who cannot cross within the light time.
• Give way to pedestrians in a slip lane.
• When leaving or entering a driveway or private property, give way to pedestrians (and bicycles) on the footpath, path or nature strip. If you cannot see, sound the horn and move out very slowly.
• If you face a Give Way or Stop sign where a shared or bicycle path crosses the road, give way to people and vehicles on it.

Take extra care

• At tram stops and bus stops, where people step out from in front of or behind the vehicle. Slow down. See trams.
• In shopping centre car parks, where people appear from between vehicles.
• Near schools when children are arriving or leaving. Watch for 40 km/h or 60 km/h limits outside schools. See school zones and shared zones.
• Near playgrounds, libraries and senior citizens' clubs, and in wet weather when people hurry.
• Near hotels and nightclubs, where pedestrians may be affected by alcohol, and at night when people are hard to see.
• Around people with a guide dog, white cane or other vision impairment, who may not see your vehicle.

Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.