How many miles per hour should you slow down on a crosswalk?
3 Answers
You should slow down to 30KM/H when approaching a crosswalk. Below is relevant information about crosswalks: 1. Function: Crosswalk lines, commonly known as zebra crossings, consist of parallel white stripes and are primarily designed for pedestrians to cross the road safely. It's legally mandated that pedestrians must use crosswalks when crossing streets to ensure personal and property safety. 2. Historical origin: In the 19th century, as automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages with greater speed and danger, the old stepping stones became inadequate. After numerous experiments, the modern striped crosswalk pattern first appeared on the streets of London, England in the early 1850s.
I drive to and from work in the city every day, and slowing down is really important. When approaching a crosswalk, it's best to reduce your speed to under 30 kilometers per hour, so the car can stop in time if a pedestrian suddenly crosses the road. The exact speed isn't set in stone—it depends on road conditions, like how crowded it is or if the road is slippery from rain. In residential areas or near school entrances, I usually keep it under 20 kilometers per hour to ensure safety. Once, I was driving near a park at noon when it was crowded, and I was coasting slowly—a child suddenly ran out to grab a ball, and I almost didn’t stop in time. Since then, I’ve been even more careful. Also, don’t just rely on the speedometer; slow down in advance instead of slamming on the brakes right at the crosswalk.
With over twenty years of driving experience, I can honestly say that slowing down is all about experience. Before approaching a crosswalk, I usually reduce my speed to around 25 kilometers per hour, which is about 15 miles per hour, giving pedestrians plenty of time to react. On rural roads without traffic lights, I slow down even more, to around 10 miles per hour, because poor lighting makes it hard for pedestrians to see clearly. I remember one early winter last year, driving through a village entrance in foggy weather, I slowed down and proceeded cautiously, while another young driver sped past and nearly hit an elderly person. That incident scared me, and now I always remind myself to stay steady when crossing pedestrian paths. It's important to develop good habits, like easing off the accelerator early and using engine braking to reduce speed smoothly, avoiding excessive jolts.
