At a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing, the red and green pedestrian figures are displayed on a box on the pedestrian's near side of the road, at eye level, rather than on the far side, and drivers approaching the crossing face no flashing amber phase. What type of crossing is this, and how does its traffic-light sequence differ from a pelican crossing?
- This is a pelican crossing; the red-amber-green sequence for drivers is identical to the one used at this crossing
- This is a toucan crossing reserved exclusively for cyclists, and drivers face no red light at all
- This is a zebra crossing fitted with additional lighting; drivers are never legally required to stop
- This is a puffin crossing; unlike a pelican crossing's flashing amber phase, a puffin's signal sequence for traffic runs like an ordinary traffic light with no flashing amber, and on-crossing sensors can hold or clear the red light depending on whether pedestrians are still crossing
Why D? And why not the others?
Correct answer: D. This is a puffin crossing; unlike a pelican crossing's flashing amber phase, a puffin's signal sequence for traffic runs like an ordinary traffic light with no flashing amber, and on-crossing sensors can hold or clear the red light depending on whether pedestrians are still crossing
A puffin crossing is distinguished by its pedestrian signal box being on the near side at eye level rather than on a pole across the road, and by on-crossing sensors that detect whether pedestrians are still on the crossing, allowing the system to hold the red signal for traffic longer if someone is still crossing or to clear it sooner if the crossing empties early; because of this sensor control, drivers see a conventional red-amber-green sequence with no separate flashing amber phase. Describing the sequence as identical to a pelican crossing is wrong, because a pelican crossing does include a flashing amber phase during which a driver must give way to any pedestrian still on the crossing but may proceed if it is clear, which is a distinct phase a puffin crossing does not use. Calling it a toucan crossing is wrong because toucan crossings are shared by pedestrians and cyclists together, not cyclists exclusively, and drivers do face a red light there. Calling it a zebra crossing is wrong because zebra crossings have no traffic light signals at all, whereas this crossing is entirely signal- and sensor-controlled.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 196 (puffin, toucan and equestrian crossings, GOV.UK)