Pedestrians

HC Deb 04 May 1953 vol 515 cc24-5

38. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Transport what, under his regulations, are the obligations of a pedestrian to observe the traffic signals; and whether those regulations make it an offence to disregard them.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Gurney Braithwaite)

None of my right hon. Friend's regulations imposes obligations on pedestrians to observe traffic signals nor makes it an offence for pedestrians to disregard them. It is, however, most important that all pedestrians should avoid crossing in the path of vehicles which are proceeding in accordance with the green light.

Sir T. Moore

Will my hon. Friend consider introducing legislation which will bring relief to pedestrians and others in regard to this long-standing misunderstanding?

Mr. Braithwaite

Legislation would, of course, be required to deal adequately with the problem. The Road Safety Committee have made certain recommendations to my right hon. Friend which he has under consideration at present.

39. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation defining clearly the relative responsibility of traffic users in respect of zebra crossings as compared with studded crossings.

Mr. Braithwaite

No, Sir. The present regulations state clearly that pedestrians have precedence over wheeled traffic once they have stepped on to a zebra crossing. With regard to studded crossings at traffic lights, the regulations do not deal with the question of precedence as between road users, but pedestrians should not cross the path of vehicles which have the signal to proceed.

Sir T. Moore

As I am sure my right hon. Friend will admit, there is today a great deal of doubt and misunderstanding in the minds of both pedestrians and wheeled traffic, including cyclists. Will he, therefore, make widely known what exactly are the relative responsibilities of each road user?

Mr. Braithwaite

I hope that these replies may assist in that direction, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that this is a problem which can be better solved by the use of human judgment than by attempting to impose foolproof regulations which might prove exceedingly difficult to enforce in the varying conditions in different parts of the country.

Mr. Hastings

Does the precedence remain after the pedestrian, having stepped off the pathway, again steps back on to it?

Mr. Braithwaite

I could not possibly answer that without notice.