The Highway Code

Rules for pedestrians

Rules 1 to 35 of the Highway Code — 35 rules in 4 groups. Every rule has its own page, and the wording is the Code’s own.

General guidance

6 rules

Rule 1: Pavements and footways (including any path along the side of a road)…should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic.Rule 2: If there is no pavementkeep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic.Rule 3: Help other road users to see youWear or carry something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.Rule 4: Young children should not be out alone on the pavement or road (see Rule 7)When taking children out, keep between them and the traffic and hold their hands firmly.Rule 5: Organised walks or parades involving large groups of people walking…along a road should use a pavement if available; if one is not, they should keep to the left.Rule 6: MotorwaysPedestrians MUST NOT be on motorways or slip roads except in an emergency (see Rules 272 and 277).

Crossing the road

11 rules

Rule 7: The Green Cross CodeThe advice given below on crossing the road is for all pedestrians.Rule 8: At a junctionWhen you are crossing or waiting to cross the road, other traffic should give way.Rule 9: Pedestrian Safety BarriersWhere there are barriers, cross the road only at the gaps provided for pedestrians.Rule 10: Tactile pavingRaised surfaces that can be felt underfoot provide warning and guidance to blind or partially sighted people.Rule 11: One-way streetsCheck which way the traffic is moving. Do not cross until it is safe to do so without stopping.Rule 12: Bus and cycle lanesTake care when crossing these lanes as traffic may be moving faster than in the other lanes, or against the flow of…Rule 13: Routes shared with cyclistsCycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated from them by a feature such as a change of…Rule 14: Parked vehiclesIf you have to cross between parked vehicles, use the outside edges of the vehicles as if they were the kerb.Rule 15: Reversing vehiclesNever cross behind a vehicle which is reversing, showing white reversing lights or sounding a warning.Rule 16: Moving vehiclesYou MUST NOT get onto or hold onto a moving vehicle.Rule 17: At nightWear something reflective to make it easier for others to see you (see Rule 3).

Crossings

13 rules

Rule 18: At all crossingsWhen using any type of crossing you should always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push…Rule 19: Zebra crossingsGive traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross.Rule 20: Where there is an island in the middle of a zebra crossingwait on the island and follow Rule 19 before you cross the second half of the road - it is a separate crossing.Rule 21: At traffic lightsThere may be special signals for pedestrians. You should only start to cross the road when the green figure shows.Rule 22: Pelican crossingsThese are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push the control button to activate the traffic signals.Rule 23: Puffin crossings differ from pelican crossings as the red and green…figures are above the control box on your side of the road and there is no flashing green figure phase.Rule 24: When the road is congestedtraffic on your side of the road may be forced to stop even though their lights are green.Rule 25: Toucan crossings are light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists…and pedestrians to share crossing space and cross at the same time. They are push-button operated.Rule 26: At some crossings there is a bleeping sound or voice signal to indicate…to blind or partially sighted people when the steady green figure is showing, and there may be a tactile signal to help…Rule 27: Equestrian crossings are for horse ridersThey have pavement barriers, wider crossing spaces, horse and rider figures in the light panels and either two sets of…Rule 28: Staggered’ pelican or puffin crossingsWhen the crossings on each side of the central refuge are not in line they are two separate crossings.Rule 29: Crossings controlled by an authorised personDo not cross the road unless you are signalled to do so by a police officer, traffic warden or school crossing patrol.Rule 30: Where there are no controlled crossing points available it is advisable…to cross where there is an island in the middle of the road.

Situations needing extra care

5 rules

Rule 31: Emergency vehiclesIf an ambulance, fire engine, police or other emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights…Rule 32: BusesGet on or off a bus only when it has stopped to allow you to do so. Watch out for cyclists when you are getting off.Rule 33: TramwaysThese may run through pedestrian areas. Their path will be marked out by shallow kerbs, changes in the paving or other…Rule 34: Railway level crossingsYou MUST NOT cross or pass a stop line when the red lights show, (including a red pedestrian figure).Rule 35: Street and pavement repairsA pavement may be closed temporarily because it is not safe to use.

Where to go next

The Code reads in order, and every part of it is on this site in full.

IntroductionThe part before this one · 8 to read Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scootersThe part after this one · 11 to read All of the Highway Code307 numbered rules in 14 parts, the introduction and 8 annexes Road signs and markingsEvery sign this part refers to, each one on a page you can link to.

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