Overtaking on a Pedestrian Crossing

[Get Karter]

The other day I was driving behind a taxi along my local high street. He stopped right on a pedestrian crossing to pick up a fare.

There was no one waiting to cross the crossing.
There were no pedestrians anywhere near it.
There was nothing coming the other way.

But I sat behind him and waited, because overtaking him would have meant crossing the zigzags.

The guy in the car behind me was peeping me and making 'Gareth Hunt' signs towards me. But I still didn't budge until the taxi set off again.

Could I have passed the taxi (legally), was I too cautious?

The guy behind me didn't bother me....I just thought, if you're so bloomin' 'ard then why not overtake the both of us?

Edited by Get Karter on Monday 15th October 19:25

[Get Karter]

vonhosen said:

Yes you could have passed him.

It would be an offence to pass the 'moving' 'motor vehicle' nearest the crossing.
OR
The lead stationary 'vehicle' according precedence to a pedestrian using the crossing.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 15th October 19:36

Thanks for that. I will know next time.

Was the taxi driver in the wrong to stop on zig zags....I know the Police book anyone parking on them. Surely stopping to pick up a fare causes the same 'visibility' problems as a parked car?

[Get Karter]

vonhosen said:

7db said:

vonhosen said:

Get Karter said:

vonhosen said:

Yes you could have passed him.

It would be an offence to pass the 'moving' 'motor vehicle' nearest the crossing.
OR
The lead stationary 'vehicle' according precedence to a pedestrian using the crossing.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 15th October 19:36

Thanks for that. I will know next time.

Was the taxi driver in the wrong to stop on zig zags....I know the Police book anyone parking on them. Surely stopping to pick up a fare causes the same 'visibility' problems as a parked car?

No they shouldn't stop to pick up passengers within the zebra controlled area.

Unless it's on the zig-zags after the crossing, Von?

Not a taxi but a public service vehicle providing a 'local service' or to carry passengers for hire or reward (separate fares NOT tours or excursions), if the vehicle has proceeded past the crossing & is waiting in that area in order to pick up or set down passengers.

So how is "a public service vehicle" causing less danger by stopping on these lines than a non-public service vehicle?

It's like residential areas where there are double yellow lines on corners to aid junction visibility/space, but cars with disabled badges can park on them all day.

Never understood the logic tbh. I guess they are laws created by committees.

[Get Karter]

R_U_LOCAL said:

7db said:

Why isn't a taxi a public service vehicle?

Because it's a hackney cab or private hire vehicle.

Good answer.

Care to have a pop at the slightly trickier question from my post above 7db's?

[Get Karter]

Good. So what's the answer?