Understanding UK pedestrian crossings

As a driver or pedestrian, encountering different kinds of crossings can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the rules. In the UK there are several standard types: zebra, pelican, puffin, and toucan. Each has unique features, different traffic signal arrangements, and serves specific road or pedestrian needs. In this article, we’ll break down what each is, the practical differences, and why knowing them matters - for safety, law compliance, and even insurance considerations.

What are the main types of controlled crossings?

Here are the four crossings we’ll compare:

• Zebra crossings
• Pelican crossings
• Puffin crossings
• Toucan crossings

We’ll also briefly touch on other related types (like Pegasus or equestrian crossings) where relevant, especially since understanding them helps clarify why the standard ones evolved.

Zebra crossings

A zebra crossing is probably the simplest and most visible of the lot.

Key features:

• Marked by broad black and white stripes painted across the road.
• Zig-zag lines on the approaches to warn drivers.
• Belisha beacons: orange flashing globes on striped poles at each end.
• No traffic lights: drivers must stop if someone is on the crossing or stepping onto it. Pedestrians have right of way once they move onto the crossing.
  
  

What drivers and pedestrians need to know:

• Drivers must watch for pedestrians about to cross, slow down, and be ready to stop.
• Pedestrians should check that traffic has stopped before stepping out.
• If there is a refuge island splitting the crossing, each half is treated separately.

Pelican crossings

“Pelican” stands for PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing. These involve traffic lights and are an older style of signal-controlled crossing.

Characteristics:

• Pedestrian presses a button to request crossing.
• Once requested, the traffic lights for vehicles go from green → amber → red. Pedestrians then get a green figure.
• After the pedestrian green, there is a flashing green man for pedestrians (meaning don’t start crossing then, but finish if already on it). For traffic, there is a flashing amber stage: traffic may proceed only if the pedestrian crossing is clear.
• Pelican crossings are no longer installed in Great Britain, but many remain in use.
  
  

What to watch out for:

• Drivers must stop on red, wait through amber to red, then during flashing amber must check the crossing is clear before moving.
• Pedestrians should not start to cross when the green man is flashing.
• Because these have fixed timings, someone who crosses slowly might still be on the road when traffic resumes.
  
  

Puffin crossings

“Puffin” means Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent crossing. They were designed to improve on pelican crossings by using sensors and adapting timings.

What’s different / improved:

• The pedestrian red/green signals are located on the same side of the road as the waiting pedestrians, rather than across the road.
• Sensors detect when pedestrians are crossing (or waiting) and adapt the crossing time accordingly. If someone presses the button but then walks away, the request can be cancelled so traffic isn’t held unnecessarily.
• There is no flashing amber for vehicles, and no flashing green man for pedestrians. The signal phases are simpler and safer.
  
  

Implications:

• Better for vulnerable pedestrians because of sensors and near-side signals.
• More efficient for traffic flow.
• Some say near-side signals can be harder to see if there’s a crowd, but overall safety is improved.

Toucan crossings

A Toucan crossing (named because two can cross — pedestrians and cyclists) is intended to cater to both types of road users.

Core features:

• Designed with space and signalling for cyclists as well as pedestrians. Cyclists do not have to dismount.
• Signals often include cycle symbols alongside pedestrian symbols.
• Usually wider than standard pedestrian crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  

Things to note:

• Because cyclists can cross on their bike, caution is needed from both cyclist and driver.
• Signal phases and sensors are often similar to puffin crossings.

Why these differences matter

Knowing the difference between crossing types isn’t just academic — it impacts safety, legal compliance, and day-to-day driving or walking.

1. Safety for pedestrians and vulnerable users
   Crossings with adaptive timing (puffin, toucan) offer safer crossing for slower walkers, children, and disabled people.
   
   
2. Clarity for drivers
   Drivers need to observe signal phases carefully. For example, flashing amber at a pelican means something different from the fixed phases at puffins or toucans.
   
   
3. Efficiency of traffic flow
   Older crossings with fixed timings may delay traffic more than intelligent ones which shorten or extend time depending on need.
   
   
4. Legal obligations and insurance
   The Highway Code sets out responsibilities for each crossing type. In case of incidents or claims, whether rules were followed may be a factor.
   
   
5. Urban planning
   Puffins and toucans cost more to install but can improve safety and traffic flow, so local authorities weigh cost against benefit.

Common misconceptions

All crossings with lights are the same

In reality, pelican, puffin, and toucan differ in signal placement, sensor use, and rules.

At zebra crossings, drivers must stop immediately, even if pedestrians haven’t stepped out

Legally, pedestrians must be on the crossing before drivers are obliged to stop, though many drivers slow down if someone is waiting.

Pelican crossings are still being built

They are not installed in Great Britain anymore, although existing ones remain.

Cyclists can always ride across pedestrian crossings

Only at toucan (or parallel/tiger) crossings are cyclists permitted to ride across; at zebra, pelican or puffin they usually must dismount.

Practical tips

• Always pay attention to the signals - not all crossings behave the same.
  
  
• Pedestrians should only start crossing when the green man shows; avoid stepping out at the flashing stage.
  
  
• Drivers should be especially alert at pelican crossings for the flashing amber. At zebra crossings, anticipate pedestrians about to cross.
  
  
• Cyclists should use toucan crossings where available and dismount at others unless clearly permitted.
  
  
• Vulnerable users should look for crossings with audible signals, tactile features, or rotating cones where available.