Is there a speed limit at zebra crossings?
3 Answers
There are no specific speed regulations for crossing zebra crossings. Here are some related supplementary information: 1. Yellow markings: If solid yellow lines are used on both sides of the road, it indicates that temporary or long-term parking is prohibited. If dashed yellow lines are used, it means temporary parking is allowed, but not for an extended period. 2. Yellow grid lines: If there are yellow grid line areas on the road, parking is prohibited within these zones, including temporary stops. 3. White guide lines: In urban central areas or at highway ramp entrances, white guide lines are usually present, which also indicate no parking zones.
I've been driving for decades, and while there are no fixed speed limit signs at zebra crossings, you must slow down enough to allow pedestrians to cross safely. The traffic rules clearly state that when you see a zebra crossing, you should ease off the accelerator in advance, ideally reducing speed to around 20-30 km/h, ensuring you can stop at any time. If you don't slow down and a pedestrian suddenly dashes out, the risk is extremely high. Once, I witnessed a young driver going too fast through a zebra crossing and nearly hitting an elderly pedestrian—fortunately, he managed to brake in time. So now, I've made it a habit to slow down early whenever I spot a zebra crossing sign or see pedestrians approaching. This not only protects others but also avoids fines. In daily driving, zebra crossings are common in urban areas, and controlling your speed reasonably is a basic skill.
I just got my driver's license a year ago, and my instructor kept emphasizing: you must brake and slow down before zebra crossings, even if there's no speed limit posted. I remember being super nervous during my first drive—I'd slam on the brakes at every zebra crossing, which actually wasn't safe. Later, I learned that maintaining normal vigilance while driving is key, like approaching pedestrian zones steadily at 30-40 km/h. The term 'zebra crossing' itself highlights pedestrian priority, so you need to ensure it's as safe as crossing the street for them. Through practice, I've tested different speeds: going below 20 km/h annoys drivers behind with honking, while exceeding 50 km/h is too risky. So, I always check the rearview mirror to gauge distance and stop smoothly to yield—this works better than rigidly memorizing numbers. A common rookie mistake is overlooking blind-spot risks at zebra crossings, like needing extra caution during rainy days with poor visibility.
