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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Driver attention and pedestrian crossings

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

Safe driving needs continuous attention to the road, not occasional glances between messages. The reference prohibits holding a cellphone or other communication device while driving. Even hands-free conversation can distract you from observing pedestrians and changing traffic.

A pedestrian crossing provides a route across the road. People may be partly hidden by stopped vehicles, street furniture or a large vehicle ahead. Approach at a speed that lets you stop before their path.

Key idea: Safe driving needs continuous attention to the road, not occasional glances between messages.

How to apply the rule

Give way to pedestrians crossing within a pedestrian crossing, slowing or stopping when needed. Look at both sides and the crossing itself. Keep the crossing clear in queues: wait before it if there is no room beyond.

Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing. You may be unable to see the person it is allowing across. Turning drivers must check pedestrians in the intended path even when their vehicle signal permits a turn. Put the phone away before travel and stop in a safe, permitted place before handling it.

Key idea: Remain behind rather than passing.

Conditions and easily confused points

The pedestrian red figure means pedestrians must not begin crossing. A flashing red figure requires those who have not entered to wait, while people already crossing finish promptly. These instructions do not authorise a driver to endanger someone who has made a mistake.

A triangular pedestrian warning announces a hazard ahead; R2.1 specifically indicates pedestrian priority. Learn both the picture and the action rather than treating every pedestrian symbol identically.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

The car ahead stops at a crossing and you cannot see why.

  1. Remain behind rather than passing.
  2. Look for pedestrians hidden in front of the stopped car.
  3. Wait until the crossing and intended path are clear before continuing.

Quick recap

  • Remain behind rather than passing.
  • Look for pedestrians hidden in front of the stopped car.
  • Wait until the crossing and intended path are clear before continuing.

Practice questions on driver attention and pedestrian crossings

1 May you hold a phone to communicate while driving?

  1. No
  2. Yes, in light traffic
  3. Yes, below 20 km/h
Show the answer

Answer A: No

Do not hold a communication device while driving. At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians as required and do not pass a vehicle that has stopped for them. A green signal does not remove the need to check that the junction and your exit are clear.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

2 A vehicle has stopped at a crossing. May you pass it?

  1. No, it may be yielding to pedestrians
  2. Yes, on the shoulder
  3. Yes, quickly
Show the answer

Answer A: No, it may be yielding to pedestrians

Do not hold a communication device while driving. At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians as required and do not pass a vehicle that has stopped for them. A green signal does not remove the need to check that the junction and your exit are clear.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

3 What should you do when pedestrians are crossing in your path?

  1. Sound your horn until they run
  2. Give them room and yield as required
  3. Drive close behind them
Show the answer

Answer B: Give them room and yield as required

Do not hold a communication device while driving. At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians as required and do not pass a vehicle that has stopped for them. A green signal does not remove the need to check that the junction and your exit are clear.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

4 What is a safer way to deal with a phone call?

  1. Stop in a permitted safe place before handling the phone
  2. Read the screen only at intersections
  3. Hold it below the steering wheel
Show the answer

Answer A: Stop in a permitted safe place before handling the phone

Do not hold a communication device while driving. At a pedestrian crossing, give way to pedestrians as required and do not pass a vehicle that has stopped for them. A green signal does not remove the need to check that the junction and your exit are clear.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Road markings

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF p. 38, sections 6.52–6.53; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.