The rules outlined below are an overview, please refer to the rule references for more details.
Pedestrians include not only people on foot but also those on wheeled devices such as skateboards, rollerblades, wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices. A person pushing a bicycle is also considered to be a pedestrian.
Fines apply to pedestrians who commit the following offences:
- cross against an amber or red traffic light
- cross against an amber or red pedestrian light
- cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing
- fail to cross to the nearest edge of the road after getting off a tram
- fail to obey a traffic instruction from a police officer
- fail to use the shortest or most direct route across a road
- get out of from a moving vehicle
- walk along or fail to give way when crossing a bicycle path
- walk improperly on a road (by not keeping to the far side facing oncoming traffic when walking along a road where it is not practicable to use the footpath or nature strip)
- cross a level crossing when not permitted
- disobey a 'no pedestrian' sign.
- cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver
At pedestrian crossings
A driver must give way to any pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing, and you must not overtake another vehicle which has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. When approaching a pedestrian crossing, you must drive at a speed that would enable you to stop safely.
When turning at any intersection (except a roundabout), you must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.
You must give way to any pedestrian in a slip lane.
You must give way to any pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing. At pedestrian lights with When Flashing Give Way To Pedestrians signs, when the yellow light starts flashing, you can proceed provided you give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing.
You must approach a children’s crossing at a speed from which you can safely stop. You must stop at flagged children’s crossings if a pedestrian is on or entering the crossing, even if there is no crossing supervisor present. You must not proceed until the pedestrian has left the crossing. You must also stop if a hand held Stop sign is displayed at the crossing.
For detailed information see Trams.
When entering or leaving a driveway or private property, you must give way to pedestrians and bicycles on any footpath, path or nature strip you cross.
You must give way to all pedestrians as well as vehicles when making a U-turn.
Unless there are specific crossings provided, there is no requirement for vehicles to give way to pedestrians at roundabouts.
In a shared zone shared by both vehicles and pedestrians, you must give way to pedestrians
You must give way to any pedestrian at or near the sign or line. This includes pedestrians as well as bicycles crossing in front of you on a shared or bicycle path.
Road Safety Road Rules 2009
- Part 14 – Rules for Pedestrians
- 38 Giving way when making a U-turn
- 67 Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
- 69 Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at an intersection (except a roundabout)
- 71 Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at other places
- 74 Giving way when entering a road from a road related area or adjacent land 89
- 75 Giving way when entering a road related area or adjacent land from a road
- 80 Stopping at a children's crossing
- 81 Giving way at a pedestrian crossing
- 82 Overtaking or passing a vehicle at a children's crossing or pedestrian crossing
- 83 Giving way to pedestrians in a shared zone
- 114 Giving way when entering or driving in a roundabout
To look up these rules and check for other related rules, please refer to the Acts and Regulations administered by VicRoads.