Pedestrians ahead sign

What the Pedestrians ahead sign means: People often cross the road here on foot, so slow down and look out for them.

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Drawn for this site
Pedestrians ahead sign
Group
Warning signs
Does this group carry the law
Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
In the sign deck
3 questions ask about this sign

What to do when you see it

  1. Slow down and scan both footpaths, not just the road surface.
  2. Cover the brake through the length the sign covers.
  3. Give way to anyone already crossing, whether or not there is a marked crossing.
  4. Expect people to cross where it is convenient rather than where it is marked.

Where you see it

Near shopping strips, sporting grounds, station entrances, caravan parks and beach access points, and on roads where people cross between a car park and a destination.

Across the states and territories

National in use. In tourist areas, and on beach roads in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, this sign often marks a place where visitors cross unpredictably, which is a different reading of the same artwork.

Tell it apart from these

  • Pedestrians aheadPedestrians aheadthis pagePedestrian crossingPedestrian crossing

    The warning says people cross around here. The regulatory sign marks the crossing where you must give way.

    Pedestrian crossing: You must give way to any pedestrian on the crossing and be ready to stop before it.

  • Pedestrians aheadPedestrians aheadthis pageChildren aheadChildren ahead

    The children version tells you the pedestrians are small, less predictable and easily hidden by parked cars.

    Children ahead: Children may be near or on the road here, so slow down and be ready for them to step out.

How the knowledge tests use it

Questions usually check that you know a warning sign does not create a right of way, and that the give way rules still decide who goes.

What does this sign mean?
Pedestrians ahead sign
  1. People on foot are not allowed on this road
  2. A school zone starts here
  3. People often cross the road on foot along hereThe answer
  4. There is a marked pedestrian crossing at this exact spot

A yellow diamond with a walking figure warns you about people on foot in the area. It is a warning, not a marked crossing.

State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs

Common questions

What does the Pedestrians ahead sign mean?
People often cross the road here on foot, so slow down and look out for them.
What should you do when you see a Pedestrians ahead sign?
Slow down and scan both footpaths, not just the road surface. Cover the brake through the length the sign covers. Give way to anyone already crossing, whether or not there is a marked crossing. Expect people to cross where it is convenient rather than where it is marked.
Where is the Pedestrians ahead sign used?
Near shopping strips, sporting grounds, station entrances, caravan parks and beach access points, and on roads where people cross between a car park and a destination.
What is the Pedestrians ahead sign confused with?
Pedestrian crossing: The warning says people cross around here. The regulatory sign marks the crossing where you must give way. Children ahead: The children version tells you the pedestrians are small, less predictable and easily hidden by parked cars.
How do the knowledge tests ask about the Pedestrians ahead sign?
Questions usually check that you know a warning sign does not create a right of way, and that the give way rules still decide who goes.

Try it in a question

Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.

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