Zebra crossing

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A zebra crossing (British English) or a marked crosswalk (American English) is a pedestrian crossing marked with white stripes (zebra markings).^[1] Normally, pedestrians are afforded precedence over vehicular traffic, although the significance of the markings may vary by jurisdiction. They are known as "zebra" crossings as the stripes resemble the coat of a zebra.

The first zebra crossing in the world was installed in Slough, United Kingdom in 1951 to enhance pedestrian safety at new and already existing crossing points.^[2] Since then, zebra markings have been used at crossing points internationally to denote pedestrian crossings. Many have been replaced by various types of signalled crossing due to safety concerns.^[3]

Terminology and usage of the markings varies by country. In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, they are usually called zebra crossings, as the stripes resemble the striped coat of a zebra.^[2] In the UK, zebra markings are only found at unsignalled, standalone zebra crossings and must be accompanied with upright belisha beacons. In the US, they can be found at any type of crossing.