On any given day around Christchurch, thousands of people walk to work, school, the shops and for exercise.

Pedestrian safety

Christchurch will continue to develop a safe network of footpaths and walkways as part of its long term plan of creating a world class transport network. 

Remember to always walk safely

  • Obey traffic signs and signals
  • Cross at crossings
  • Check for vehicles exiting driveways and coming from all directions
  • Wear clothing that increases your visibility to drivers
  • While repair and maintenance is being carried out utilise the cordoned areas and obey footpath closures.

Senior citizens

Child pedestrian safety

Child pedestrian safety tips for drivers

  • Watch for children when backing out of your driveway
  • Drive out forward from your driveway if you can
  • Double check the footpath and cycleway
  • If you have to reverse, do it safely and slowly
  • Look for pedestrians and cyclists
  • Remember children are unpredictable.

Stop at school patrols when stop sign is extended

School patrols often find it hard to get a break in the traffic.

  • Stop if a school patrol sign is extended, regardless of which side of the road it is on
  • Slow down around schools and be prepared to stop at all school crossing points
  • Keep plenty of space between you and cars in front.

Parents guide to child safety

Pedestrian crossings

Signal crossing guiide

Signal crossing at a traffic light

A signalised crossing is where there is a pedestrian light (red/green man) at a set of traffic lights.

  • Press the button at the signalised crossing, the red man will light up on the pole across the road. This means do not cross.
  • Walk when green man is lit. Double check for left and right turning traffic before crossing.
  • Flashing red man - continue to cross, but do not step onto crossing. This means vehicles will start moving again soon.
  • Do not step onto the road when the red man is lit.

SmartPad crossings

Some pedestrian crossings are installed with a yellow SmartPad. 

  • Here, you need to stand on the SmartPad as well as press the call button
  • When the red pedestrian signal appears, remain standing on the SmartPad until the signal changes to green and you have checked that it is safe to cross the road
  • If you step off the SmartPad before the signal changes, your call will be cancelled.

Pedestrian zebra crossing

  • Allow enough time for vehicles to stop.
  • If vehicles are approaching wait for them to pass or stop before stepping out.
  • Vehicles must give way to pedestrians on any part of the crossings.  

Staggered pedestrian zebra crossing

  • Check for traffic from your right, until you reach the island in the middle of the road and then check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross the rest of the road.
  • Vehicles must stop and give way to pedestrians on their half of the road.

Pedestrian refuge island

  • These are not zebra crossings.
  • These are designed to give pedestrians a chance to get across in two stages, giving the pedestrian a safer place to wait before making the second stage of the crossing.
  • Check for traffic from your right, until you reach the middle of the road and then check for traffic from your left before you proceed to cross the rest of the road.

Raised platforms

  • These are not zebra crossings.
  • In many shopping areas where the road surface changes, for example, to paved areas, it is an indication for drivers to reduce their speed and to be aware of pedestrians.
  • Pedestrians must give way to vehicles.