The United Kingdom has one of the lowest provisions of zebra crossings in the World, and consequently crossing our own streets is inconvenient at best and deadly at worst.

Children crossing their own street on the way to school are not given priority over drivers driving through

Young adults walking to see their friends are not given priority over drivers driving through

Seniors walking down to their local shop are not given priority over drivers driving through

But this can be solved by adopting a simple design for zebra crossings on 20mph streets which are much cheaper and quick to implement than the existing UK design which requires power and the removal of parking spaces.

192 countries use simple, inexpensive zebra road markings and blue and/or white signs on lower speed streets - the UK is just one of three countries where an extremely expensive, powered Belisha beacons are required.

The benefits of removing the Belisha beacon design requirement on 20mph streets include:

• Far lower cost of installing zebra crossings
• Far more zebra crossings, clearly indicating our neighbourhood streets are foremost for local residents walking
• Reduction in road traffic collisions and reduced burden on emergency services
• Positions walking right at the top of the active travel hierarchy

This petition calls on the UK Secretary of State for Transport to approve the adoption of a new zebra crossing design, aligned with international norms, by updating the Traffic Signal Regulations and General Directions (TSRGDs).  Further, zebra markings should be used at light controlled pedestrian crossings, and it should be an offence if drivers obstruct the crossing when the pedestrian light is green.  This is within the powers of the Secretary of State and does not require Parliamentary time for approval.

Simplifying the design for 20mph streets would make zebra crossings more intuitive and safer for everyone, especially our children. Please sign this petition to urge the UK Secretary of State for Transport to prioritise our walking safety by updating the TSRGDs to include a new, simpler zebra crossing design for 20mph streets for both the main carriageway and side street junctions.