Pedestrian crossing lights: what they mean
The red figure means do not cross. A steady green figure means you may cross with care after checking that traffic has stopped.
What do pedestrian crossing lights mean?
These figures tell pedestrians when to cross. Red means wait. When a steady green figure shows, check that traffic has stopped before crossing with care. Rule 22 explains these signals at pelican crossings.
Know your traffic signs also describes pedestrian signals at traffic-light junctions. Drivers must still give way to anyone crossing after the vehicle signal turns green, under rule 198.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- A zebra or parallel crossing is ahead.
- Red means wait; steady green means cross with care.
- Traffic lights are ahead.
Show answer
B. Red means wait; steady green means cross with care. Red tells pedestrians not to cross, while steady green tells them to check traffic has stopped and cross with care (The Highway Code, rule 22). Source: Know your traffic signs: pedestrian, cycle and equestrian crossings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 21, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 22, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 198, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At pedestrian crossings and at traffic-light junctions with pedestrian crossing facilities.
What should you do?
As a driver, give way to anyone still crossing after your vehicle signal changes to green.
What do people get wrong?
Do not treat a flashing green figure as permission to start crossing. At a pelican crossing, it means you should finish crossing if already on the road, but should not start.
Common questions
What does a flashing green pedestrian light mean?
At a pelican crossing, do not start crossing when the green figure flashes. Rule 22 says that if you have already started, you should have time to finish safely.
What if the green pedestrian light goes out while I am crossing?
Rule 21 says you should still have time to reach the other side. Continue without delay.
Compare with
Toucan crossing lightsThese signals guide people walking and cycling.
Pedestrian crossing signA zebra or parallel crossing is ahead.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (pedestrian, cycle and equestrian crossings) and The Highway Code rules 21, 22 and 198.
- Know your traffic signs: pedestrian, cycle and equestrian crossings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 21, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 22, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 198, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.