The Faded Zebra and the Impatient Tailgater
It is 07:40 on a two-lane urban road with a 50 km/h limit. You approach a marked pedestrian crossing whose zebra stripes are worn to faint grey and partly covered by fresh black asphalt patch repair. A pedestrian in a dark coat stands at the kerb, one foot on the road edge, looking at traffic but not stepping off. Behind you a minibus is 8 metres back and closing. On your left a motorcyclist is overtaking in the same direction. The traffic light 30 metres ahead is green for your direction. You are doing 45 km/h. Rain fell overnight and the road is still damp.
1. Should you stop for the pedestrian? Explain how the worn markings, the pedestrian's position, and the damp surface affect your decision.
Read the worked answer
Yes - you should slow and prepare to stop, and stop if the pedestrian commits to crossing. The legal duty at a marked crossing does not disappear because paint has faded; the crossing still exists and the kerb-side foot on the road is a strong signal of intent. Worn or patched markings raise risk, not lower it: other drivers may not register the crossing either, so treat the area as hazardous.
Damp asphalt lengthens your stopping distance. At 45 km/h on a wet surface you need noticeably more metres than on dry tarmac, so easing off now buys margin. The foot on the road edge plus eye contact is enough to justify covering the brake and, if the pedestrian moves, stopping fully.
Do not wave the pedestrian across - that invites them into the path of the overtaking motorcyclist, who cannot see your signal and may not see them.
2. The minibus behind is closing and the motorcyclist is alongside. How do you manage the stop safely?
Read the worked answer
Sequence matters. First, check the mirror and signal early so the minibus reads your intention before you brake. Second, brake progressively rather than sharply - a gradual build-up gives the 8-metre follower time to react and warns them through your brake lights.
The motorcyclist alongside is the sharper problem: if you stop, a pedestrian may step out in front of the bike. So do not stop so abruptly that you invite a rear-end collision, and do not wave anyone across. Hold your position, reduce speed, and let the motorcycle clear the crossing area before you commit to a full stop. If the pedestrian waits, you may proceed slowly once the bike has passed and you have checked the far kerb for a second pedestrian hidden by the minibus or by the light glare.
If the minibus is genuinely tailgating, increase the gap ahead of you so any braking is gentler, and let them past when safe rather than racing to the crossing.