Zebra crossings kaput stripes in Doon, pedestrians forced to navigate moving traffic
ANJALI YADAV/Dehradun
Despite clearly marked zebra crossings at several intersections, motorists in the city rarely slow down to allow pedestrians to pass, forcing many to wait for gaps in traffic or cross between moving vehicles. The Uttarakhand Police Traffic Wing has flagged repeated violations of zebra crossing norms and is considering a focused enforcement drive to improve compliance.
Dehradun superintendent of police (Traffic) Lokjeet Singh said that the vehicles often halt past zebra crossings, encroaching on pedestrian space. In some locations, vehicles are also parked close to crossings, affecting visibility. He added that rain during the recent monsoon also caused fading of markings at certain spots and repainting will be required to ensure better visibility.
Meanwhile, pedestrians said that the crossings do not always guarantee safety. Rahul Goswami said that the vehicles often continue moving even when someone steps onto the zebra crossing. “Most of the time, drivers don’t slow down. We have to wait and cross when there is a gap,” he said. Goswami recalled that last week he had a near miss colliding with a motorbike while crossing near the Fountain Chowk area.
Singh said that the random checking drives are being conducted across the city. Challans are issued after verification through CCTV cameras and on-ground teams. Authorities are reviewing data from 2023, 2024 and 2025 to assess trends and identify areas requiring stricter monitoring.
According to official data, zebra crossing violations in 2024 peaked in April and October, with 216 cases each. In 2025, the highest number of such violations was recorded in August (124). In January 2026, seven zebra crossing violations and 108 red light jump cases were recorded, while February saw three red light jump cases.
Drivers attributed the issue to a lack of awareness and enforcement. Auto rickshaw driver Sunil said that he doesn’t stop at zebra crossings because nobody else does it either. However, he said, stricter penalties and regular drives could improve adherence to traffic norms.
Traffic Police officials indicated that targeted enforcement and repainting of faded crossings are being planned to strengthen pedestrian safety and improve compliance.
