Pedestrians, children and older people

By the end of this topic you can

• You can spot places where pedestrians are likely to appear without warning.
• You can adjust your speed near schools, estates, shops and bus stops.
• You can give extra time and space to children, older people and people with disabilities.
• You can reverse and leave driveways without putting a hidden child at risk.
• You can pass walkers safely on roads with no footpath.

What you need to know and understand

• Children can step out between parked cars, and they are hard to see.
• You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into, and to anyone in your path when you move off.
• When coming out of a driveway, give way to pedestrians on the footpath as well as traffic.
• On roads with no footpath, walkers should face oncoming traffic on the right-hand side, so expect them on your side of the road.
• Take extra care passing a stopped school bus where children are getting on or off.
• A small child behind your car may be invisible in your mirrors: if in doubt, get out and check.
• Driving along or across a footpath, except to get into or out of a property, is an offence.

Where people step out

Some places almost guarantee pedestrians. Slow down early and cover the brake when you see them.

• Near schools at opening and closing times, and where a school warden works.
• Around bus stops, where people cross in front of or behind buses.
• In housing estates, car parks and shopping streets.
• Beside ice cream vans, parks and playgrounds.
• Between parked cars, where a child's head may not show above the bonnet.

People who need more time

Older people may take longer to cross and may misjudge your speed. Someone with a white cane or guide dog may not see you at all. A deaf person may not hear the engine or your horn. A person using a wheelchair or walking frame may need the full width of a dropped kerb. Wait patiently, never rev the engine or sound your horn at them, and do not move until they are clear.

Rural walkers and night-time

On a country road without footpaths, walkers face you on your side of the road, often round a bend. At night many will not wear reflective clothing. Drive so you can stop in the distance you can see is clear, and pass wide and slow.

Reversing and driveways

1. Walk round the car before you get in if children are about.
2. Check all mirrors and look over both shoulders.
3. Reverse slowly, looking mainly through the rear window.
4. Stop at once if you are unsure, and get out to check.

Common mistakes

• Driving at the posted limit past a school at home time. The limit is a maximum, not a target.
• Watching only the road, not the footpath. Scan the kerbs for movement.
• Passing a stopped bus at normal speed. Someone may cross in front of it.
• Reversing out of a driveway using only mirrors.
• Sounding the horn at someone who is slow to cross.

Test yourself: Pedestrians, children and older people

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.