To think I can't trust a all drivers to stop at zebra crossings?

Very sensible. I was once halfway across a road at a pedestrian crossing, lights were red for cars, and even though I was pushing a pram a car clearly didn't notice and just passed in front of me without even slowing down. Scary

You’re not wrong OP. They are meant to just stop even if you’re just standing like a lamppost.

I’m learning to drive and I know we are told to approach it carefully and watch our speed in case anyone pops out wanting to cross. If we see people even walking near it we are told to keep an eye out in case they are wanting to cross. But I see drivers ahead of me just tearing through the crossings when I’m on my lessons even when the person is taking steps closer to the kerb.

Unfortunately people discard of a lot of the rules once they get the licence.

Yes drivers must stop when a pedestrian puts one foot on the crossing, and SHOULD (but not must) stop if a pedestrian is waiting

If they aren't going to stop, I would rather they did that without me on it.

I agree drivers not stopping at zebras, when you're already on the crossing, has got worse.

Not just today but I can think of many other zebras where the driver on the near side has stopped to let you cross, but you're then greeted by a driver on the other side of the road zooming by as you're walking across. Obviously illegally. I do think they should be replaced by pedestrian crossings.

A couple of months ago a pedestrian was knocked down in our area whilst crossing a zebra. I never trust anyone to stop anymore.

I've never trusted them.

I look and practically make eye contact with the driver until I'm dead sure they are stopping, before I step out onto them.

I know you are supposed to put one foot on it, and then look again before proceeding I think?

The state of drivers on the roads these days is worse.

I absolutely wait until I’m sure the cars are stopping before I go onto the zebra crossing.

I’ve seen cars drive straight through them too often to want to risk it. I’ve even seen cars speed up on the approach to zebra crossings when pedestrians are still crossing the road. Some drivers just seem oblivious to zebra crossings.
And it’s not going to end well for the pedestrian if there’s a collision.

When I started driving we did the hand signals too.
The right arm out the window in a graceful motion palm down like a gull landing meant I am slowing down or stopping. This was to alert following drivers.
It was used when approaching zebra crossings but the pedestrian always had to make their own judgement as to when it was safe to cross.
This was not intended as a signal to urge the pedestrian to cross.

Unfortunately zebra crossing behaviour has seriously declined imo. So many people just swerve straight onto the crossing without looking to see if traffic is stopping or facing the crossing to indicate they are about to use it. Afaik, if a vehicle is within the zigzag it is too late to be expected to stop, if you’re not speeding that is. Pedestrians need to “address the crossing” and try to make eye contact with the nearest driver, not just March out without looking. Having said that, I agree that drivers aren’t respecting zebra crossings as much as they used to, they were always sacrosanct!

Not had that at all, everyone stops. At least in the UK; in other countries I don't understand why they even bother painting them as they're completely meaningless. But down south and in London, I've never noticed anyone not stop, either as a driver or pedestrian. I would definitely escalate it to the council, ask for cameras maybe.

Drivers should never wave or otherwise urge a pedestrian to cross.
If they do ignore them. It can be quite dangerous.
Only cross when you judge it safe to do so and you are comfortable doing so.

I HATE these new style pedestrian crossings. They've just changed the one near me from traditional overhead ones on the opposite side to waist height on the side. It just means when someone is stood right next to it (you know, after pressing it) no one else can see if it's a green man. Awful, awful design.
Sorry for the derailing rant 😂

I think as a society we have gotten more selfish, and lots of drivers don't stop for things that inconvenience or delay them slightly. I know the "rule" is drivers only NEED to stop when your foot is on the crossing, but they ignore the "you should get ready to stop when you see someone waiting" bit and speed through. Who is honestly going to risk stepping out onto a busy road when drivers aren't stopping to force the issue.

Complain to the council and ask for a pelican crossing perhaps? Make the fuckers stop, mind you some of them don't stop for red lights either.

I was crossing a zebra today. Difficult to describe but as a pedestrian you can't see whats coming on the other side of the road.

When driving I always approach it carefully, and if you're slow enough you can always see a person waiting at the zebra or having started to cross.

All the same I was half way across it today when a driver decided he wasn't going to stop.

Put your foot on it and look at the driver. I wouldn't march off unless sure the driver was going to stop. I thought I'd misremembered but that highway code link does say drivers must stop if a pedestrian is on the crossing so, putting one foot on it, gives them that warning. Some appalling drivers near our local big supermarket who race through crossings even when lots of pedestrians around.

A bus had stopped at the crossing an idiot decided to overtake the stationary bus at speed,I was so lucky I was only halfway across.

We have these stupid pedestrian crossings where you have to look sideways for the green man for what seems ages , then they change quickly. I think they are less safe if the traffic doesn’t obey .

We nearly got hit on a traffic light controlled crossing this weekend. I’d looked to my right as that car was quite close and it did stop at the red light.I started crossing but I didn’t check again that the car to my left who had ample time to react to a red light but the stupid woman just drove right through the red light.

Walking into work today I saw a guy nearly get run over by a car on a zebra crossing.

in which case you’re not really responding to the OPs question. The Highway Code rule, if you think about it, exists precisely because we can’t trust drivers to always stop, as she says in her AIBU title.

Why would you walk across without stopping to make sure it's safe?

I don't trust drivers to do anything they're supposed to do.

I check the road both ways before crossing in case someone is driving down the wrong way.

Are they indicating left? Let see if they actually turn. Lots of times they dont. (This one mostly happens when i am driving and am waiting at a roundabout)

Not only zebra crossing, I double check at red lights too.

This is why I voted YABU!

Aren't zebra crossings a bit like those "serving suggestions" on food packets? Showing you the ideal place to cross, but it's up to you to judge the circumstances...