Pedestrian crossings explained: types, rules & examples

By Nic Hopkirk

Last updated: 20 June 2025

There are many different types of pedestrian crossings in the UK. Some can sense when people are waiting to cross the road – even when they’ve finished crossing. Others are designed to help horses and bikes cross the roads safely. 

You’ll have heard of zebra crossings and school crossings, but did you know there are also pelican, puffin, toucan and Pegasus crossings? 

 Let’s find out what this menagerie of bird and beast-named crossings is all about, the rules behind how to use them and who has the right of way and when. 

What is a pedestrian crossing? 

A pedestrian crossing is a designated area where it’s safe for pedestrians to cross the street. 

They are sometimes marked with white stripes, as in the case of zebra crossings, and pedestrians will automatically have the right of way over cars in this instance. 

But they can also have traffic lights, as in the case of pelican, puffin, toucan and Pegasus crossings. In which case, pedestrians will need to wait until the traffic lights signal for them to cross before they have the right of way. 

Types of pedestrian crossings 

Zebra crossing 

The most famous of them all, a zebra crossing features black and white stripes on the road and is usually marked with amber flashing spherical lamps called Belisha beacons. 

They are designed to provide pedestrians with a safe and convenient way to cross the road, especially in busy traffic areas. 

Pedestrians automatically have the right of way at a zebra crossing and drivers are legally required to stop as soon as a pedestrian sets foot on one. 

Failure to do so is a legal violation and drivers can earn points on their licence or be fined for failing to stop. 

Zebra crossing signs 

Drivers will usually be warned that a zebra crossing is ahead via a triangular warning sign featuring a person walking over a zebra crossing. 

Belisha beacons are also usually found at either side of the crossing to warn cars they need to slow down. 

If you cannot see one side of the crossing because oncoming traffic is blocking your view, it’s important to slow down, just in case someone is starting to cross.  

Zebra crossing road markings 

Aptly named, zebra crossings have thick black and white stripes, typically 40cm-60cm wide that run parallel to the pavement. 

‘Give way’ and zigzag road markings may also be present in the lead up to a zebra crossing. 

Pelican crossing 

Commonly seen on high streets, a pelican crossing is controlled by traffic lights, where pedestrians need to push a button and wait for the ‘green man’ before starting to cross. 

Pelican stands for ‘PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled’ and these crossings are designed to let people cross the roads safely in busy or high-speed traffic areas. 

When time is running out for pedestrians to cross, a number countdown may be shown, showing how many seconds are left before waiting drivers are able to move ahead. 

When the traffic light turns to amber for the cars, drivers must still give way to pedestrians on the crossing. 

If the lights are amber and no pedestrians appear to be on the crossing, drivers may proceed with caution. 

But only when the traffic light goes green for cars do drivers have the right of way again. 

Pelican crossing signs 

Sometimes, but not always, road signs are positioned ahead of pelican crossings to warn drivers one is coming up soon. 

Look out for a red edge triangle featuring a silhouette of a pedestrian crossing a black dotted line. 

Pelican crossing road markings 

Two lines of studs in the road will indicate the limits of the pelican crossing, and zigzag lines are painted at the edge of the road in the lead up to and away from the crossing. 

Puffin crossing 

Puffin stands for ‘Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent’ crossing and like pelican crossings, puffins also have traffic signals to let pedestrians cross the road safely. 

However, there are a few key differences between pelican and puffin crossings. With a puffin crossing:

• The pedestrian’s signals (featuring a green or red man) appear on the same side of the street as the pedestrians to let them know when it’s safe to cross 

• Puffin crossings have sensors to detect when pedestrians are crossing, holding the traffic lights at red for cars until the crossing is clear 

• These sensors can also detect when pedestrians are waiting to cross the road. 

• They can even detect if a pedestrian has pushed the button but moved away from the crossing. If they have, the signal will no longer be activated, and traffic will be allowed to continue going forwards. 

Both pelican and puffin crossings have audible beeps and rotating tactile cones on the push button to help visually and audibly impaired pedestrians. 

Puffin crossing signs 

Puffin crossings will have traffic lights and pedestrian crossing lights on the same side of the street as the pedestrian. 

Puffin crossing road markings 

Like with zebras, they’ll also have zigzag road markings leading up to them on both sides of the road. 

Toucan crossing 

A toucan crossing is designed to help pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road, so the two can cross at the same time. 

Similar to a pelican or puffin crossing, a toucan crossing also includes a green bike signal for cyclists to cross at the same time as pedestrians. 

Toucan crossing signs 

Like puffin crossings, toucans also have smart sensors that can detect when people are waiting to cross.  

Toucans feature a green and red man and green and red bike signal, located on the same side of the road as the walker or cyclist. 

Toucan crossing road markings 

As with pelican and puffin crossings, toucan crossings have white zigzag road markings leading up to and away from them, while a red-bordered triangular sign showing a man crossing a dotted line can sometimes be positioned in the lead up to the crossing. 

Pegasus crossing 

Perhaps the best named crossing of them all, the pegasus crossing is designed for, you’ve guessed it, horse riders and pedestrians. 

A pegasus crossing is also a push-button controlled crossing, but this one is most often found on bridleways.  

It has two control panels: one at normal height for pedestrians and another, higher up, for horse riders to press without dismounting.  

These crossings also have dedicated green and red horse symbol indicators. 

Pedestrians and horse riders must wait until the traffic light has turned red and their signal has turned green before crossing the road. 

Pegasus crossing signs 

Pegasus crossings feature a red or green horse and rider, rather than a pedestrian.  

And unlike other crossings, they don’t have a flashing amber light. That’s because pegasus crossings can detect when a horse is crossing the road via sensors, so they’ll automatically hold the traffic light at red for cars until the crossing is clear.  

Pegasus crossings may have fences or railings to prevent horses from crossing the roads while waiting. 

Pegasus crossing road markings 

As with other pedestrian crossings, zigzag road markings lead up to a pedestrian crossing, ensuring clear visibility and preventing cars from parking within the crossing area. 

Temporary pedestrian crossings 

Temporary pedestrian crossings are crossings marked with road signals that are put in place for a limited time only. 

They're most commonly found when roadworks are taking place, when a regular crossing is temporarily closed, or at busy events like music festivals. 

They can range from simple zebra crossings to more complex pelican and puffin-style crossings with traffic light signals. 

Pedestrian level crossing 

Pedestrian level crossings are designed to help people walk safely across railway tracks. 

Active pedestrian level crossings usually have barriers that close when a train is crossing, alongside audible warning lights and alarms to let walkers know a train is approaching. 

Passive pedestrian level crossings (more commonly found in rural locations) don’t have these alerts in place and require users to stop, look and listen to know when it’s safe to cross the tracks. 

Penalty for going through a red light at a pedestrian crossing UK 

You can be fined, given penalty points and even disqualified from driving for going through a red light at a pedestrian crossing. 

If the authorities deem your actions were reckless or caused danger, you could even face time in prison. 

The specific penalty will depend on your actions and the decision of the British Transport Police. 

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So now you know everything there is to know about pedestrian crossings, who has the right of way and when, and how to look out for them when driving. 

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