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

112 replies

pengwig · 06/01/2026 17:31

Where I live there are 2 zebra crossings, once right outside a school and the other close by and so often drivers just don't stop for you. I go to cross and they don't slow down never mind stop. I am now in a situation where my trust in it is just gone and I feel like I am almost waiting until the driver has stopped before I even start to cross which I know annoys drivers but I'm fed up of being almost mowed down.

OP posts:
pengwig · 06/01/2026 17:40

Some people say you have to look as though you are just about to cross so they know to stop but they should be able to see you waiting to cross and if you just stand there its like they think you are waving them on! I do wait because I don't want to be run over but many drivers just want to be able to slow down about and speed up as you pass them. It feels very unsafe. They even put in new lights and tried to make the crossings more obvious but so many drivers just don't seem to care. Some drivers are lovely and do stop but so many these days don't.

OP posts:
RecordBreakers · 06/01/2026 17:37

Why would it annoy drivers ? Confused

It has always been the case that you'd be daft to step out into the road without being sure it is safe to do so. Who is crossing any other way ? Confused

HappyAsASandboy · 06/01/2026 17:37

I always wait until I am sure they’re stopping, which means they’re virtually stopped before I walk.

I also wait to pull out of junctions even if the oncoming driver is indicating to turn in and so I should be safe to go. You never know if they’ll change their minds or are just randomly indicating!

Redpeach · 06/01/2026 17:36

Cars are very annoying

Namechange568899542 · 06/01/2026 17:35

As a driver I’d rather a pedestrian came to a full stop and checked as I live in fear of having a brain fart and not stopping (has never happened but yknow) lol

Unicorn34 · 06/01/2026 17:35

On my local High Street I've never known so many incidents of drivers not stopping. Its ridiculous as its clearly a crossing. I never cross until I know the cars are stopping or have actually stopped.

GCSEBiostruggles · 06/01/2026 17:35

I have noticed this as a driver. I think it is partly because so many pedestrians don't use them any more and just step out from any pavement with zero warning but a lot of drivers don't slow down at all.

gazellefoot · 06/01/2026 17:34

Hasn’t it always been the case to wait until they stop? Never occurred to me to just walk out even with a crossing.
Also OP it’s the same for roundabouts these days. Even when I have right of way you feel like the person on your left is just going to pull out in front of you.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/01/2026 17:34

YANBU.
According to the Highway Code, we’re meant to wait till the traffic has stopped before starting to cross.

https://highwaycode.org.uk/crossings/

Chipper28 · 06/01/2026 17:33

Nope I wait too. The number of times drivers have just ploughed on through, even when I'm already walking on it, is shocking and I'm not prepared to risk it anymore!

dynamiccactus · 06/01/2026 17:32

You have to give them a hard stare as they approach the crossing and put your foot on it. That usually works.

Of course you get the entitled knobs who still won't stop so you still have to take care.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/01/2026 17:32

I make sure they are definitely stopping before I step out too. I don’t care if they find this annoying!

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