Pedestrian warningAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


7. Pedestrian warning

A pedestrian warning is a traffic warning indicating that pedestrians may be crossing or entering the roadway ahead. It is commonly used near pedestrian crossings or other locations where drivers need advance notice of frequent pedestrian activity.

Drivers approaching a pedestrian warning should reduce speed when necessary, watch carefully for pedestrians and be prepared to stop. The design of the warning sign and the priority rules at the crossing vary between countries.

Pedestrian warning
'Look Out – Pedestrians About' warning sign. (Parkes, New South Wales, Australia)
Wikimedia.org • Amanda Slater • CC BY-SA
How should I react to a pedestrian warning in Australia?

Reduce speed, look along both sides of the road and be ready to stop. The warning identifies a pedestrian hazard ahead; children, people with limited mobility or others may enter the road unexpectedly.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — pedestrian-warning

Does a pedestrian warning in Australia identify the crossing itself?

Not necessarily. An advance warning alerts you to danger ahead. The actual crossing is identified by its own signs, markings or signals. Apply the crossing rules when you reach it, and follow any supplementary distance information.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — pedestrian-warning

Warning for pedestrians. Warning for pedestrians.

English • W6-3 • Children. Children may cross the road ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop; this warning sign does not itself mark a pedestrian crossing.

Sources
What should drivers know about pedestrian crossings in Australia?

In New South Wales, give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and approach slowly enough to stop. A driver turning at an intersection must also give way to pedestrians crossing the road being entered, subject to the applicable rules.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — pedestrian-warning

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...