Home / Advice / Pedestrian crossing or its zig-zag lines? They are different rules with different exceptions - ask the authority to show exactly where the vehicle stopped

proceduralUK · England & WalesDifficulty: moderate

Pedestrian crossing or its zig-zag lines? They are different rules with different exceptions - ask the authority to show exactly where the vehicle stopped

Code 99 covers two different things: stopping on the crossing itself (the stripes or studs where people walk) and stopping on the zig-zag lines either side of it. The law treats them differently. On the crossing itself, stopping is allowed if you were prevented from moving by something beyond your control, or had to stop to avoid injury or damage (and in Wales, since March 2026, to turn onto a main road at some zebra crossings over side roads). On the zig-zag lines there are more exceptions: for example stopping to turn left or right, stopping because a traffic light, or a police officer or traffic officer in uniform or a traffic warden, told you to, or giving way to people on a zebra crossing. So it matters exactly where your vehicle was. Ask the authority to say which one it alleges, and to show you the photographs or footage.

Legal basis

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (S.I. 2016/362), Schedule 14, read at legislation.gov.uk on 9 October 2026 (the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997, S.I. 1997/2400, are revoked and are not cited). ON THE CROSSING - Part 5 paragraph 1(1): "The driver of a vehicle must not cause the vehicle or any part of it to stop within the limits of a section 25 crossing unless prevented from proceeding by circumstances beyond the driver's control or it is necessary to stop to avoid injury or damage to persons or property." Paragraph 1(2), inserted for Wales from 11 March 2026 by the Traffic Signs (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations and General Directions 2026 (W.S.I. 2026/35): the prohibition does not apply where, in the circumstances in paragraph 25A(2) of Part 1 (a Zebra crossing across a minor road in Wales in the vicinity of a junction with a major road, which needs no controlled area), a driver stops for the purpose of making a turn onto the major road. IN THE ZIG-ZAG CONTROLLED AREA - Part 5 paragraph 3 prohibits stopping in a section 25 crossing controlled area, and paragraph 4(2) lists the circumstances in which that does not apply, including: (a) stopping to comply with paragraph 7(1) (giving precedence to pedestrians on a Zebra crossing); (b) "the driver has stopped the vehicle for the purpose of complying with an indication given by a light signal for the control of vehicular traffic or the direction of a constable in uniform, a traffic officer in uniform or a traffic warden"; (c) "the driver is prevented from proceeding by circumstances beyond the driver's control or it is necessary to stop to avoid injury or damage to persons or property"; (d) a vehicle used for fire and rescue, ambulance, police and certain other emergency purposes; (e) a vehicle stopped no longer than necessary for building, road works, obstruction removal or utility works that cannot be done without stopping there; (f) a local bus or a vehicle carrying passengers at separate fares, waiting to take up or set down passengers having proceeded past the crossing; and (g) "the vehicle is stopped for the purpose of making a left or right turn". Part 1 paragraph 14(3) (signal-controlled crossing facilities) and Part 1 paragraph 23(3) (Parallel crossings) give the same list for their controlled areas.

How to identify this in your case

Only for a code 99 ticket. Where was your vehicle: on the crossing itself (the stripes or studs), or only on the zig-zag lines? Why did it stop there: to turn, because a light, a uniformed officer or a traffic warden stopped you, to give way to people on a zebra, or because you could not move? If you can, get the footage. Answer the ticket's own questions about the zig-zags: if one fits, your letter will say so.

Sample appeal wording

Before you send this

Deadline. A late submission can be turned down without your argument being read. Check your notice for the deadline and how it is counted.
Paying may end it. Paying can count as accepting the notice and can close a challenge already under way. Part-paying or acknowledging an old debt can also revive a time limit that had expired.
The amount can change. Check what happens to the sum if you challenge — it may be held, re-offered lower, or keep rising, and fees or enforcement can continue meanwhile.
Use the official route. Use the method, recipient and form your notice specifies, with any reference, evidence and signature it asks for. Sent elsewhere, it may not count.
Only say what is true. Do not copy any statement of fact unless it is true for you, and check the legal point still applies. Delete what does not fit. It may be treated as your statement.
Careful what you volunteer. Avoid unnecessary admissions — naming the driver or accepting responsibility can remove arguments. But answer anything you are legally required to answer, and do include the evidence your ground needs.
Keep the record. Keep what you sent, the attachments, any receipt, and the reply. Note the next deadline.

Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at.

Please tell me whether you allege that the vehicle stopped on the crossing itself or in the zig-zag controlled area beside it, and send me the photographs or footage you rely on to show where it stopped. Schedule 14 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 sets different rules for the two, with different exceptions for the controlled area, so please tell me which one you allege.

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts an appeal letter, and sends it for you where the council takes email — guiding you through their own online form where they use one, so you press submit. The win fee is only charged if you win.

Scan my ticket

Pedestrian crossing or its zig-zag lines? They are different rules with different exceptions - ask the authority to show exactly where the vehicle stopped

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps