Purpose
This sign and its meaning are given in clause 4.5.1 of the traffic rules; the picture on it depicts a person walking against a blue background. A similar sign marks the end of the zone, its difference is the presence of a red line. Regulatory authorities regularly update current rules. This happens with the aim of improving them and better meeting the needs of road users - motorists and pedestrians.
Sign 4.5.1 “Pedestrian path”
Recently, the number of motor vehicles in the urban environment has been increasing. In big cities they are trying to combat this by installing paid entrance to the central areas of the city or paid parking. Often pedestrian paths on the sidewalk are designated to protect architectural monuments.
Road sign 4.5.1 “Pedestrian path”
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Traffic signs Mandatory signs Road sign 4.5.1 “Pedestrian path”
The “Pedestrian path” sign is rarely seen on Russian streets. This is partly understandable: after all, any sidewalk is a pedestrian path. Why then is this sign needed?
The fact is that a sidewalk can only be where there is a roadway, since it is an element of the road. The entire pedestrian path is at the disposal of pedestrians, and in this zone there are no such concepts as a roadway or sidewalk.
The road for pedestrians is indicated by road sign 4.5.1 “Pedestrian path”.
Like other signs in this category, sign 4.5.1 has a round shape and a blue background with a white border, on which the silhouette of a walking person is depicted in white.
The coverage area of this sign extends from the place of its installation to the nearest road intersection. If the pedestrian zone extends further, then the “Pedestrian path” sign must be reinstalled.
No vehicles may move or stay in the area marked with this sign. But there are exceptions to this rule. The areas marked with this sign can be accessed by vehicles delivering various goods to those objects that are located along the pedestrian path, for example, vehicles delivering goods to a grocery store. In addition, vehicles of municipal or road maintenance services are allowed to enter pedestrian zones if the place where they perform their task is located in this zone.
True, in order to legally drive along a pedestrian path, the driver, firstly, must make sure that there are no other opportunities to approach the desired object, secondly, move along the pedestrian area along the shortest path and, thirdly, take care of ensuring the safety of pedestrians.
But cyclists and drivers of mopeds and scooters can only move along the pedestrian path by dismounting and driving their vehicle in their hands, since in this case they turn into pedestrians.
Are vehicles allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian paths?
Current traffic regulations provide for certain exceptions to the rules. Cyclists are allowed to enter the marked area, provided that there is no designated area near the edge of the sidewalk that allows them to ride along the edge of the sidewalk. If special services are forced to carry out repair work in an appropriate place, vehicles belonging to them have the right to pass through them. Persons driving cars or trucks must remember that:
- You can enter the area for pedestrians only if there are no other options;
- the pedestrian retains the priority right to move along the marked area. But, given the slowness of freight transport, it is necessary
- the vehicle can move as slowly as possible.
Similar rules apply to bicycle paths.
What is a footpath
According to the Traffic Rules, a “pedestrian path” is a strip of land equipped or adapted for pedestrian traffic or the surface of an artificial structure, marked with sign 4.5.1. Traffic rules of the Russian Federation.
In other words, a “pedestrian path” is a section of terrain intended for pedestrian traffic only. The law also equates to pedestrians people with disabilities in a wheelchair, people driving a bicycle, a motorcycle, a baby stroller, people who ride scooters, roller skates and other similar devices.
Moreover, the Traffic Rules require pedestrians, in addition to sidewalks, to move along pedestrian paths, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and in their absence, along the sidewalks (clause 4.1 of the Russian Traffic Regulations).
Other signs for pedestrians
Paragraph 4.5 of the traffic rules provides for such road signs:
- 4.5.2 – indicates the joint status of a pedestrian and bicycle path. It is installed if there is no division into different zones for both categories of road users;
- 4.5.3 – it marks the end of the combined section;
- 4.5.4 and 4.5.5 – these signs are designed to indicate separate traffic flows for pedestrians and cyclists.
These designations are comprehensive and do not have a two-valued interpretation.
Effect of the Pedestrian Zone sign
The traffic rules approved by the Government Decree establish the definition of such a thing as a “pedestrian zone”. It refers to that territory of the road network that is intended for the movement of pedestrian road users exclusively.
Important!
Different signs are used for the beginning and end of the pedestrian zone: the space for pedestrians begins with sign 5.33, and such a zone safe for pedestrians ends with a sign.
As the name of the “Pedestrian Zone” sign in question suggests, its effect extends to the entire territory that follows it. It does not matter whether this sign is installed on the right or left side of the space (road, avenue, path, square, etc.), its coverage area covers this entire space.
Special situations in which the sign is used
It is important to pay attention to the presence of additional signs under the sign. Thus, it may be accompanied by signs indicating and reminding traffic participants when the designated area becomes pedestrian. There are many examples when streets or avenues become pedestrian at night, on weekends or other times: Khreshchatyk in Kyiv, Walk Street in Pattaya, Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg, etc.
According to Russian rules, the designation of a pedestrian zone may be accompanied by restrictions on the validity of the sign:
- Only on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and holidays (marked in red in the production calendar) days.
- On weekdays (except Saturday and Sunday).
- A specific day or days of the week that are listed in a supplementary index.
- A certain time (when a time period is indicated during which transport is prohibited from moving through a given area) or even specific hours of certain days of the week.
The feasibility of establishing such a restriction is determined by the authorities in each specific case individually, taking into account the needs of the locality, its residents and guests. Pedestrian streets in major tourist centers, for example, are a “place of power” and attract many people, which helps develop tourism, trade and the economy of the city as a whole.
The difference between a pedestrian zone and a pedestrian path
These two concepts are often confused due to their similarities. There are such differences:
- a path is a small area designated for crossing. The zone is much larger, it includes sections of the road, curbs, sidewalks;
- The path is marked only at the beginning and up to the point of the first intersection. A separate sign indicates its end;
- Often people walk near shops, crossing areas used by their owners to unload goods. In this case, permission to move vehicles along pedestrian paths remains possible. At the same time, cars are prohibited from entering pedestrian areas.
To avoid administrative liability, drivers must remember the rules and carefully monitor every road sign.
Pedestrian path: what is it, differences from a pedestrian crossing and a sidewalk, what is prohibited
The never-ending disputes that arise between drivers and pedestrians have led to the development of a whole list of signs. One of them marks the pedestrian path. It is necessary to create safe traffic areas for pedestrians. It is also necessary to wear reflectors for pedestrians at night.
Second passport: a whim or a real necessity?
In some cases, the allocation of a pedestrian zone is also associated with attractions located in the city. For example, in Moscow the main pedestrian area is Arbat; other regions also have their own separate small parts of streets. If we take Europe, then not only have entrance fees been introduced in many cities, but entire streets have been allocated for pedestrians.
A sidewalk is a part of the road intended for pedestrian traffic. Cars cannot drive on sidewalks.
How far does this sign apply? This aspect is not defined by the traffic rules. But, in fact, its effect extends to the intersection of the site with the roadway.
A sidewalk is a part of the road intended for pedestrian traffic. Cars cannot drive on sidewalks.
As already mentioned, in addition to pedestrians, cyclists can move in this area. But in fact, there are still some exceptions to the rules. This applies to road and utility vehicles that need to correct any operational issue in this area.
The facade of the house is an integral part of the sidewalk and the main sign of the transformation of a transit space into a public one.
Signs 8.6.2-8.6.9 allow drivers to park motorcycles and cars in sidewalk parking.
Sidewalks have turned from comfortable spaces into pedestrian roads - a place for transit back and forth without the function of a comfortable place. Here it is worth paying tribute to the builders and road workers at the head of the chaos, because architects are not allowed near the streets in 90% of cases.
These terms overlap in some cases. For example, should a strip of gravel covered land that is adjacent to a roadway at one level be considered a shoulder or a sidewalk?
On our roads you can see sidewalks and pedestrian paths. Pedestrian paths are marked with a certain sign and stripes. They are suitable for pedestrians and cyclists. Cars can stop their cars on them.
There is a difference between a sidewalk and a pedestrian path, but they have one thing in common: cars cannot drive on them. Paving stone usually has a high load-bearing capacity and wears out little. The roads paved with granite slabs from the times of Ancient Rome are still usable in many places.
There are also rules for driving on the sidewalk. Pedestrians, no matter which direction they are walking, must keep to the right. If this order is violated, collisions will begin, someone will be forced to step off the sidewalk onto the roadway, and this can create a dangerous situation. It is extremely dangerous to walk along the edge of the sidewalk.
It is especially dangerous to ride downhill near the road in winter. Skis or sleds can carry you onto the roadway right under the wheels of cars.
Who is allowed to use the pedestrian path?
Access to the pedestrian path is possible in the following cases:
- If the transport belongs to municipal and road maintenance organizations that need to perform their direct work responsibilities on site.
- When it is necessary to bring cargo to commercial and other buildings, provided that there are no other options for access to them. The shortest path should always be chosen.
When crossing the zone, the driver of the vehicle is obliged to maintain safety, since in the territory priority in movement is given to citizens on foot.
Pedestrians must also be vigilant and avoid dangerous situations.
Certain categories of citizens who do not travel on foot are allowed to use the pedestrian path. We are talking about cyclists:
- who are under 14 years old;
- adults moving in the area where the sign is valid, together with cyclists under 14 years of age;
- carrying with them a child (children) under 7 years of age;
- If a cyclist is over 14 years old, he has the right to enter the path only if there is no special zone for cyclists nearby and movement on the side of the road or the right side of the road is prohibited.
If this creates obstacles to the movement of pedestrians in the zone, you will have to get off the bicycle and drive it nearby.
