If you’ve driven anywhere where a lot of people live, you’ll know that there are times when you can find yourself stuck due to surrounding traffic.
- It is illegal to stop your progress on a designated crossing
- Fines apply – and they can be hefty
- It is also illegal to stop at a children’s walkway or leave before the childway has left
Indeed, if you’re like me, you may have even accidentally stopped while crossing a pedestrian or children’s path.
And while it’s embarrassing to have to say “sorry” and wave indignantly at passersby, if you find yourself in that situation when the police are nearby, you could find yourself in trouble and not just blushed because of embarrassment. moment.
That’s because stopping in a pedestrian or children’s path is against the law – and the penalties can be quite severe.
The National Model Road Rules 2014 state this under 128A, but additional penalties may apply.
Below, we’ve outlined the potential consequences if you’re caught doing this in each of the different jurisdictions across Australia.
New South Wales
In NSW, it is illegal to: “Enter a child/pedestrian/marked pedestrian crossing blocked” under the Road Rules 2014, Rule 128A. The fine is $283 and you could also face two demerit points (note – double fines do not apply).
It is also a violation to: “Enter a blocked child/pedestrian/marked crosswalk (school zone).” The fine is higher in school zones, at $362 and three demerit points, under the Road Rules 2014, Rule 128A.
Victoria
“Failure to stop or give way at a crossing or illegally entering a (natural person) crossing” can get you four penalty points and $962.
There is also the offence: “Failure to stop and stand still for children crossing the street”, which is a surprisingly lower fine, with 3 demerit points and $481.
What’s more: “Failure to yield to pedestrians” can get you 3 penalty points and $337.
Queensland
“Failure to stop for pedestrians, cyclists or personal mobility devices on a children’s path”, according to the Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(2)(b), can result in a $464 fine. and three penalty points.
Furthermore, don’t speed past before people crossing the street have left the area, or you risk: “Going ahead of pedestrians, cyclists or personal mobility devices.” leave the child crosswalk,” which is again a three-point violation /$464 violation fine.
Finally, “Failure to yield to pedestrians, cyclists or personal mobility devices on the pedestrian path” again carries a fine of $464/three violation points.
western Australia
Some important laws you should know when it comes to pedestrian crossing laws in the West:
Failure to yield to pedestrians at a designated crosswalk, at an intersection or when exiting the road – $300 fine, three demerit points.
Failure to yield to pedestrians in a children’s crosswalk – $300 fine, 4 demerit points.
South Australia
It’s all about South Australia’s children’s crossings – often cutely called Wombat or Koala Crossings, not to be confused with the actual areas where those animals can cross through.
So here are some rules:
- Failure to stop at the crosswalk stop line – $499 fine, three demerit points
- Proceeding before a sign holder at a child crossing – fine $423, three demerit points
- Continuing when a pedestrian or cyclist is entering or entering a crosswalk – $499 fine, three demerit points
Also note that in SA you will have to pay a Crime Victims Tax fee of $99 in addition to the fines mentioned above.
Tasmania
This island nation also has similar regulations.
“Entering a crosswalk, marked crosswalk or crosswalk when it is blocked or the other side is blocked” is an offense in Tassie, with a fine of $146.25 imposed. There are no downsides.
“Failure to yield to pedestrians or cyclists when crossing a crosswalk” is also an offence, with a fine of $438.75 and three demerit points.
Australian Capital Territory
The same rules apply in our nation’s capital, according to Road Rule 128A, Entering blocked crosswalks:
- (1) A driver must not enter a child crosswalk, a pedestrian crossing or a pedestrian crossing if the driver cannot drive through the crosswalk because of the crossing. the road or the road behind the crossing line is blocked. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units (court fine $3200). Current Road – “Failure to stop and/or yield at pedestrians, schools or crosswalks” is more likely to apply, with a 3-point violation impact.
Northern Territory
In the New Testament, you sin if you enter a blocked crosswalk.
Traffic Regulations Rule 128A – Entering Blocked Crosswalks states: “Drivers shall not enter crosswalks, marked crosswalks, or crosswalks.” pedestrian if the driver cannot drive through the crosswalk because the crosswalk or the road behind the crosswalk is blocked.
For example: The intersection or the road behind the intersection may be blocked due to traffic congestion, disabled vehicles, collisions between vehicles or between vehicles and pedestrians, or due to heavy objects falling on the road .”
We were unable to find a fine/penalty for this offence.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
