Pedestrian crossing facts for kids
An pedestrian crossing (or crosswalk) is a painted road surface where pedestrians may cross a road. They are part of a safety system which allows people to cross roads when it is safe to do so. In town and cities, traffic and pedestrians are both users of roads. There must be rules which keep pedestrians safe, but allow traffic to flow as smoothly as possible.
Pedestrian crossings may be controlled with traffic lights, or other devices. Laws relating to pedestrian crossings vary according to the country. Sound signal are included in some countries.
Marked pedestrian crossings are often found at intersections. but may be at other points on busy roads. They are also installed where large numbers of pedestrians are attempting to cross (such as in shopping areas) or where vulnerable road users (such as school children) regularly cross. Rules govern usage of the pedestrian crossings to ensure safety. For example, in some areas, the pedestrian must be more than halfway across the crosswalk before the driver may proceed.
Images for kids
-
Police notice explaining the operation of the first pedestrian crossing signal, London 1868
-
A woman at a crossing in Carmona, Philippines
-
Pedestrian refuges can be incorporated into priority junctions, like this one in Saltney Ferry, United Kingdom
-
Courtesy crossing in Havelock North, New Zealand
-
An aerial view of a pedestrian scramble, such as this one in Tokyo, Japan
-
A rainbow pedestrian crossing in Chicago, United States
-
Pedestrian crossing sign used in art, University of Bremen campus, Germany.
-
A sign warning motorists to yield to those crossing the crosswalk
-
Three-state signal sequence with textual messages typical for the United States; words may be replaced by symbols
-
Posted sign in line with the convention on road sign, for informing of a pedestrian crossing
-
Crossing lamp/s used at a signalised intersection in Sydney, Australia
-
A pedestrian call button
-
Count down traffic light
-
A pedestrian crossing with a Vienna Convention standard sign indicating to motorists that they must give priority to pedestrians using it
-
Portable pedestrian crossing signal at a road work site
-
Tactile paving next to a crosswalk
-
An accessible pedestrian signal which is used in the US and Canada
-
Relief symbol on a pushbutton of a traffic light in Germany
-
Crosswalk with overhead lighting, and internally illuminated overhead crosswalk signs in Germany
-
A railway pedestrian crossing in Jyväskylä, Finland
-
Crosswalk at intersection, in Thun, Switzerland
-
Crosswalk at Zurich tramway Central station
-
Crosswalk before a roundabout, Switzerland
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Paso de peatones para niños
