Pedestrians

A summary of the key road rules regarding pedestrians in Victoria.

Under the road rules pedestrians are people:

  • on foot 
  • on wheeled devices such as skateboards, rollerblades, wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices
  • pushing a bicycle.

Rules for pedestrians

Pedestrians are not allowed to:

  • cross the road if they are facing an amber or red traffic or pedestrian light 
  • cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing - they must use the crossing
  • get out of a moving vehicle
  • cross a railway level crossing when it is not allowed
  • cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver
  • walk along, or fail to give way when crossing, a path which is for bicycles and wheeled devices (a path showing a 'Bicycle lane' sign).

Pedestrians must:

  • use the shortest or most direct way to cross a road 
  • cross to the nearest edge of the road after getting off a tram
  • obey traffic instructions from a police officer
  • give way to vehicles at roundabouts
  • obey a 'no pedestrian' sign.

If you need to walk along a road and there is no footpath or nature strip, or if there is but you can't then, you may need to walk on the road. If so, you must walk on the other side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

Penalties

There are penalties for pedestrians and drivers who break these rules.

Rules for drivers

There are rules for drivers about giving way to pedestrians which are detailed below.

The rules in detail

The Victorian road rules are published in Road Safety Road Rules 2017

The key road rules and reference numbers regarding pedestrians are:

  • Part 14 – Rules for Pedestrians 
  • 38 - Giving way when making a U-turn
  • 67 - Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
  • 69 - Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at an intersection (except a roundabout)
  • 71 - Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at other places
  • 74 - Giving way when entering a road from a road related area or adjacent land
  • 75 - Giving way when entering a road related area or adjacent land from a road
  • 80 - Stopping at a children's crossing
  • 81 - Giving way at a pedestrian crossing
  • 82 - Overtaking or passing a vehicle at a children's crossing or pedestrian crossing
  • 83 - Giving way to pedestrians in a shared zone128A - Entering blocked crossing
  • 128A - Entering blocked crossing

 

 

Pedestrian crossings

When travelling towards a pedestrian crossing, you must drive at a speed so that you can stop safely.

At a pedestrian crossing you must:

  • give way to any pedestrian on or about to step on the crossing 
  • not overtake another vehicle which has stopped at the crossing.

Children’s crossing

When travelling towards a children's crossing, you must drive at a speed so that you can stop safely.

At a crossing which has 'Children crossing' flags you must:

  • stop if a pedestrian is on or is about to step on the crossing, even if there is no crossing supervisor 
  • not go until the pedestrian has left the crossing
  • stop if a hand held stop sign is displayed at the crossing.

Keeping crossings clear

You must keep crossings clear and not drive into a crossing if the road beyond the crossing is blocked.

For crossings at intersections without traffic lights, you can enter the crossing to get a view of traffic after you have given way to pedestrians.

You must give way to any pedestrian on a crossing.

Some pedestrian lights have signs which say 'When flashing give way to pedestrians'. If you are at a crossing with one of these signs, and the yellow lights are flashing, you can start driving after you have given way to pedestrians on the crossing.

At some locations pedestrian lights only have a red and yellow light. At these locations you can proceed with caution when the yellow light is flashing but you must give way to any pedestrians. When not in operation these lights are turned off. 

When turning at any intersection (except at a roundabout), you must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.

You must give way to any pedestrian in a slip lane.

See our Trams road rules page for information about giving way to pedestrians at trams stops.

You must give way to any pedestrians and bicycles on the footpath, path or nature strip when going in or out of a driveway or private property.

You must give way to all pedestrians and vehicles when making a U-turn.

You do not need to give way to pedestrians at roundabouts, unless there is a crossing there.

Pedestrians need to give way to vehicles at roundabouts.

You must give way to pedestrians in a shared zone. A shared zone is an area shared by vehicles and pedestrians.

Was this page helpful?

 

Please tell us why (but don't leave your personal details here - message us if you need help or have questions).

Are you looking for...