When people think about the Road Rules, they often think only of the rules that drivers, riders and cyclists have to follow. But there are many rules that also apply to pedestrians, and heavy fines apply for breaking them.
What are some of the key rules you should know about?
Jaywalking
- You must not cross a road if there is a red pedestrian light.
- When crossing a road, you must do so by the shortest safest route and must not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross the road safely.
- If the pedestrian light changes from green to flashing red, or red, you must not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross safely to the other side of the road.
- You must not cross a road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.
Where you can walk
- You must not travel on the road if there is a footpath or nature strip to walk on.
- You must not enter bicycle lanes, except to cross the lane, and when doing so must give way to bicycles.
- You must not travel past a “no pedestrians” sign or a sign that indicates pedestrians are not permitted.
- You must not move into the path of a driver or unreasonably obstruct the path of a driver or another pedestrian.
Advertising & providing services
- A pedestrian cannot move onto a road to advertise, sell items, hitchhike, or wash a windscreen.
- (Note that drivers and passengers of a car must not buy, or offer to buy, a product or service from a person standing on a road).
What rules apply to people on scooters, roller blades and skateboards (“wheeled recreational devices”)?
- Other than when crossing the road, wheeled recreational devices cannot be used:
- On roads where the speed limit is 50km/h or higher, or roads that have a dividing line or median strip, or a one-way road with more than one lane.
- On any road at any time, if the device is electrically powered.
- On a road or footpath, wheeled recreational devices must stay to the left.
- Wheeled recreational devices must give way to pedestrians on the footpath.
The maximum penalty for breaking any of the above rules is $2,200.
For more information on pedestrian offences relating to light rail or trams, see our article here.
If you receive a penalty notice for any traffic infringement, including as a pedestrian, you have the option to contest the fine in court.
For more information, or to speak to one of our traffic lawyers, call us on 9025 9888 or make a free online enquiry.
Photo By tsvibrav
