This much-maligned rule of the Highway Code escapes many motorists. The penalty can be very heavy.
All drivers of motor vehicles should know: pedestrians are the users most protected by the Highway Code. This is explained by their greater vulnerability in the event of an accident, whether with a car, a motorcycle, a scooter or even a bicycle. Of course, pedestrians have duties, they cannot do anything just because they are less protected. But on the road it is better to avoid any clashes with them, for their health obviously, but also because you risk being held responsible in the vast majority of cases.
There is what is known to everyone, such as the fact that a motorist has the obligation to stop to allow pedestrians to cross on the crossings reserved for them. In 2018, a decree even increased the penalty for those who do not respect this priority: in addition to the fine of 135 euros, the loss of points on the driving license increased from 4 to 6. But there is also this which we know less about and which can lead to confusion. For example when an individual decides to cross the lane on a pedestrian crossing when the light is green for cars and red for him. Who is wrong?
It is the pedestrian who commits an offense, and yet it is the driver’s responsibility who will be engaged in the event of an accident due to failure to control his vehicle. There is another even more paradoxical situation. When the pedestrian crosses the road anywhere, including in a dangerous area without visibility for the motorist. If in fact the pedestrian must give way to vehicles when he wishes to enter the lane outside a zebra crossing, once he is on the road, the driver must stop to do so. let it pass.
Article R412-37 of the Highway Code specifies that motorists must always exercise caution and avoid any collision, even if the pedestrian is at fault. The motorist will be too. In the event of an accident, if the human damage is significant, the costs can be enormous for the driver of the motor vehicle and for this it is better to have good insurance.
It is also funny to know that a pedestrian risks a fine if he crosses the road outside a zebra crossing if there is one located less than 50 meters away. A fine in the amount of… 4 euros.