You are driving past a line of parked cars. You notice a ball bouncing out into the road ahead. What should you do?

Related Information

Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)

2. Pedestrians (205 to 210)

205

There is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.

206

Drive carefully and slowly when

- in crowded shopping streets, Home Zones and Quiet Lanes (see Rule 218) or residential areas

- driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road

- passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly

- needing to cross a pavement, cycle lane or cycle track; for example, to reach or leave a driveway or private access. Give way to pedestrians on the pavement and cyclists using a cycle lane or cycle track

- reversing into a side road; look all around the vehicle and give way to any pedestrians who may be crossing the road

- turning at road junctions; you should give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the road into which or from which you are turning

- going through road works or when passing roadside rescue and recovery vehicles, as there may be people working in or at the side of the road

- the pavement is closed due to street repairs and pedestrians are directed to use the road

- approaching pedestrians on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath. Always slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, giving them plenty of room as you drive past

- approaching zebra and parallel crossings as you MUST give way to pedestrians and cyclists on the crossing (see Rule 195)

- approaching pedestrians who have started to cross the road ahead of you. They have priority when crossing at a junction or side road so you should give way (see Rule H2).

[The Highway Code]