15/10/2023
‼️ What's the difference between Puffin, Zebra, Toucan and Pelican crossings?? 🚸
Knowing the difference between these creature crossings is an essential part of your road knowledge!
🦓 Zebra crossings
These have two sets of flashing amber beacons and an area of road between them that’s painted in black and white stripes. They don’t have traffic lights, but do have a broken give-way line that you mustn’t cross when you stop. Drivers are legally obliged to give way to pedestrians on the crossing, so scan the road ahead and manage your speed on approach, or risk points on your licence!
🦤 Pelican crossings
These differ from zebra crossings in that the flow of traffic is controlled by traffic lights. Pedestrians press a button that changes the traffic lights to red.
If you see pedestrians waiting, don’t suddenly accelerate to get through the crossing before the lights change. Approach carefully and scan ahead. The lights will change to amber and then to red, as normal. The lights will remain on red for a set period before changing to flashing amber. This is to allow people time to finish crossing. The flashing amber light means you’re free to continue if – and only if – the crossing is clear. If there are still pedestrians on the crossing you mustn’t move until they have safely crossed.
🐧 Puffin crossings
These crossings have their sequences controlled by sensors mounted on the lights, rather than a timer. These sensors detect whether any pedestrians are on the crossing and control the colour of the lights accordingly. Once the control button has been pressed, the lights will only change back to green once the crossing is clear. A puffin crossing doesn’t have a flashing amber phase; you have to wait until the lights turn green before you move off.
🚴🏻 Toucan crossings
These crossings are designed for both pedestrians and cyclists to use at the same time: just think, 'TWO-can'. They operate the same way as puffin crossings, though the area is wider, leaving plenty of room for cyclists to ride across. Cyclists should get off their bikes and wheel them across when using the other crossings.
