Sign "Pedestrian zone": what it means, traffic rules, definition

A pedestrian zone sign marks a separate area in order to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians. It is often confused with other similar designations, which leads to violation of traffic rules. Drivers risk running into a fine of 500 rubles, since the movement of any type of transport in the area of ​​the sign without additional signs is strictly prohibited. But there is also a sign “Pedestrian traffic is prohibited.”

From the article you can find out how the zone is designated and how it differs from a pedestrian path. It is described when the ban on placing vehicles in a zone does not apply and whether it is possible to drive without violations to the territory where the sign is in force. Various options for recording violations and answers to readers’ questions on the topic are also provided.

What does the Pedestrian Zone sign mean?

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With the advent of cars, the freedom of movement of walkers was gradually limited. The most spacious and level parts of the road began to be allocated for vehicles. Pedestrians had to make do with what was left - small narrow sidewalks.

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In small towns and villages, where there is little motor transport, there have almost never been any problems with places for walking and there are none today. But in megacities with their eternal traffic jams, the average pedestrian has to almost literally press against the walls of houses on the side of the road.

To solve this problem, some parts of the street that were previously passable were eventually returned to people, prohibiting any transport from moving on this territory except:

• municipal equipment;
• cash-in-transit and other official vehicles;
• bicycles;
• hoverboards.

Such areas are called “pedestrian zones”. They first appeared in Europe in the fifties of the twentieth century.

In order for drivers to know which streets are not intended for driving, a specialized road sign “Pedestrian zone” was introduced.

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By the way, the territories indicated by this sign are not always roads. They often include one or more streets, as well as squares.

Responsibilities of pedestrians

4.1. Pedestrians must move on sidewalks, pedestrian paths, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and if there are none, along the roadsides. Pedestrians carrying or carrying bulky objects, as well as persons using non-motorized wheelchairs, may walk along the edge of the roadway if their movement on sidewalks or shoulders creates an obstacle for other pedestrians.

If there are no sidewalks, pedestrian paths, bicycle paths or shoulders, and also if it is impossible to move along them, pedestrians can move along a bicycle path or walk in one row along the edge of the roadway (on roads with a dividing strip - along the outer edge of the roadway).

When walking along the edge of the roadway, pedestrians must walk towards the movement of vehicles. Persons moving in wheelchairs without a motor, driving a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle, in these cases must follow the direction of travel of the vehicles.

When crossing the road and driving along the sides or edge of the roadway in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility, pedestrians are recommended, and outside populated areas, pedestrians are required to carry objects with reflective elements and ensure that these objects are visible to vehicle drivers.

4.2. The movement of organized pedestrian columns along the roadway is permitted only in the direction of movement of vehicles on the right side of no more than four people in a row. In front and behind the column on the left side there should be escorts with red flags, and in the dark and in conditions of poor visibility - with lights on: in front - white, in back - red. Groups of children are allowed to drive only on sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and in their absence, along the roadsides, but only during daylight hours and only when accompanied by adults.4.3. Pedestrians must cross the roadway at pedestrian crossings, including underground and overground ones, and in their absence, at intersections along sidewalks or curbs.

At a controlled intersection, it is allowed to cross the roadway between opposite corners of the intersection (diagonally) only if there are markings 1.14.1 or 1.14.2 indicating such a pedestrian crossing. If there is no crossing or intersection in the visibility zone, it is allowed to cross the road at right angles to the edge of the roadway in areas without a dividing strip and fences where it is clearly visible in both directions.4.4. In places where traffic is regulated, pedestrians must be guided by the signals of a traffic controller or a pedestrian traffic light, and in its absence, a transport traffic light.4.5. At unregulated pedestrian crossings, pedestrians can enter the roadway (tram tracks) after assessing the distance to approaching vehicles, their speed and making sure that the crossing will be safe for them. When crossing the road outside a pedestrian crossing, pedestrians, in addition, must not interfere with the movement of vehicles and exit from behind a standing vehicle or other obstacle that limits visibility without making sure that there are no approaching vehicles.4.6. Once on the roadway (tram tracks), pedestrians should not linger or stop unless this is related to ensuring traffic safety. Pedestrians who do not have time to complete the crossing must stop on a traffic island or on a line dividing traffic flows in opposite directions. You can continue crossing only after making sure that further movement is safe and taking into account the traffic light signal (traffic controller).4.7. When approaching vehicles with a blue flashing light (blue and red) and a special sound signal on, pedestrians are required to refrain from crossing the roadway, and pedestrians on it must immediately vacate the roadway (tram tracks).4.8. Waiting for a route vehicle and a taxi is allowed only on landing platforms raised above the roadway, and if there are none, on the sidewalk or side of the road. In stopping places for route vehicles that are not equipped with raised landing platforms, it is allowed to enter the roadway to board the vehicle only after it has stopped. After disembarking, it is necessary to clear the roadway without delay. When moving across the roadway to or from the stopping point of a route vehicle, pedestrians must be guided by the requirements of paragraphs of the Rules.

What does the pointer look like?

Although the rules of the road and the way they are indicated are similar in most countries of the world, the sign in question looks different in different countries.

In the Russian Federation, according to the current Traffic Rules, the “Pedestrian Zone” sign is designated with code 5.33 and has the following design:

It is noteworthy that before its appearance, another sign was used to designate areas for pedestrian movement - “Movement prohibited”.

Administrative responsibility

Motorists should remember that if they drive unreasonably on a pedestrian zone or path , they will inevitably face a fine. The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, in part 2 of Article 12.15, establishes a monetary penalty in the amount of 2000 rubles .

There is no direct fine for driving through a pedestrian zone. Within the limits of the validity of the signs limiting the pedestrian zone, the movement of vehicles violates the established regulations and is punished by 500 rubles.

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Mandatory addition

The sign in question, 5.33, is never used without the other, numbered 5.34. It's called "End of the Pedestrian Zone" and looks like this:

With the help of this pair of road signs, the limits of the territory allocated for pedestrian movement are indicated. The legislation of the Russian Federation prohibits the use of a plate with code 5.33 without the addition of number 5.34.

European analogues

As in the countries of the former Soviet Union and in other countries of the world, the “Pedestrian Zone” sign prohibits vehicles from entering certain territories. But the appearance of this pointer has different variations.

In Germany, the sign shows a white woman with a child against a blue circle, with the words “zone” underneath.

In France, everything is different: against the backdrop of an aquamarine circle, a man leads a girl.

In Ukraine, a hybrid of German and French signs is used: a man leads a boy by the hand. In this case, only one option is used, and not two different signs to indicate the beginning and end of the pedestrian zone. To make it clear what is where, everything is supplemented by two signs 3.1 “Entry prohibited” and 3.2 “Traffic prohibited.”

The Italian sign shows exactly the same white man on an aquamarine background as in the Russian Federation. The only difference is that in case of restricted access for pedestrians during certain periods, a red snowflake is not placed. Just below is information about the hours of use of the territory.

Sign on traffic rules tickets

What is prohibited in the area covered by this sign?

More details

What is prohibited in the area covered by this sign?

More details

Special regulations signs are responsible for entering or canceling certain driving modes. For example, special instructions signs can notify road users that a motorway begins next, where different rules apply than those on the previous section of the road. Also, special instructions signs include all signs that indicate a particular feature of a further section of the road. The beginning of a populated area, residential area, restricted parking area or their end, all of this refers to signs of special regulations. In addition to this function, this type of sign also indicates different traffic lanes in different areas.

It should be noted that failure to comply with the rules that establish special instructions signs is punishable by fines up to the deprivation of a driver's license. The type of traffic rules signs for special regulations 2019 has a common color scheme, which greatly simplifies their memorization and recognition on the road, and it is also always easy to determine the regulation that these signs refer to, since the images on them are quite simple and easily identifiable.

Why do more and more pedestrian zones appear every year?

The dominance of motor transport in megacities leads not only to traffic jams, but also to air pollution. This, in turn, affects the health of urban residents, as well as their quality of life in particular and the environment in general.

To improve the situation, most European countries are opening up more and more pedestrian streets where only bicycles and hoverboards can be used.

Especially many such zones are located near university campuses, as well as near architectural monuments actively visited by tourists. Often boulevards - wide streets with a green area in the middle - also serve this purpose.

To be fair, it is worth noting that the emergence of a huge number of pedestrian areas is not always due only to concern for city residents. Often such areas are made convenient for tourists who are willing to spend money there. Often such streets are known not so much for their architectural monuments as for their shops and restaurants with fairly high prices.

A similar trend is also widespread in the countries of the post-Soviet space, which have not yet been so affected by European problems. For example, in Moscow, the pedestrian Arbat is also known as one of the most visited places by tourists. In Kyiv - this is Khreshchatyk, in Nikolaev - Sobornaya Street (formerly Sovetskaya).

The appearance of pedestrian streets is characteristic not only of megacities, but also of smaller cities. For example, in the small town of Nezhin (population about 70 thousand), where N.V. Gogol once studied, the pedestrian street Gogolevskaya is named after him. Children can walk freely here.

Pedestrian path sign

There is another nuance. Sometimes the "Pedestrian Zone" is confused with the "Pedestrian Path". And although both signs are used to designate the territory for the movement of people, they have a difference. In the second case, the same blue circle with white people is used, but the inscription “Zone” is missing.

In addition to a small external difference, there are differences in the concepts themselves:

• The path ends when it intersects with any other road. It is also small in size and does not include curbs, sidewalks, or squares.
• The pedestrian zone can extend for several kilometers, despite crossing one or more roads. It ends only where the corresponding sign hangs. Another difference is the size. Pedestrian zones can include not one, but several streets, and even squares.

Otherwise the same rules apply.

The main differences between a pedestrian zone and a pedestrian path

Traffic regulations are formed by various groups of road signs, among them there are some that are frankly similar to each other. The visual similarity of a picture does not at all guarantee uniform application of the rules.