Belisha beacon

A Belisha beacon atop its striped pole. This example also features a spot lamp to illuminate the crossing at night.

A Belisha beacon (/bəˈliːʃə/) is a yellow-coloured globe lamp atop a tall black and white striped pole, marking pedestrian crossings of roads in the United Kingdom,[1] Ireland, and other countries historically influenced by Britain, such as Hong Kong, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore. The beacons were named after Leslie Hore-Belisha (1893–1957), the Minister of Transport who, in 1934, added beacons to pedestrian crossings, marked by large metal studs in the road surface. These crossings were later painted in black and white stripes, and thus are known as zebra crossings. Legally, pedestrians have priority (over vehicles in the carriageway) on such crossings.[a]

  1. ^ Jones, Andrew. "The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016". legislation.gov.uk. Department for Transport.
  2. ^ "The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997: Section 25", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1997/2400 (s. 25)


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