Most pushchair advice is about the pushchair itself: brakes, harnesses, wheels. This article is about what happens once you are out on the pavement with it. The Highway Code, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales, is written for every road user, but a handful of its rules speak directly to anyone pushing a child in a pram or buggy. Northern Ireland has its own Highway Code, which is not covered here. (For visibility in poor light, see our separate guide to reflective accessories.)
Rule 4: keeping a young child safe on foot
The one rule that mentions pushchairs by name is Rule 4. It says young children should not be out alone on the pavement or road, that when taking children out you should keep between them and the traffic and hold their hands firmly, and that very young children should be strapped into pushchairs or use reins. It then says something that is easy to do without thinking: when pushing a young child in a buggy, do not push the buggy into the road when checking whether it is clear to cross, particularly from between parked vehicles.
In practice that means stopping short, with the wheels still on the pavement, and using your own eyes and ears rather than nosing the buggy out to get a view. It is a habit worth building early, because the front of a pushchair sits lower and further forward than you do.
Choosing where to cross
Rule 7, the Green Cross Code, is written for all pedestrians, and the Highway Code says parents and carers should use it in full when out with their children, because children learn by example. Its first step is to find a safe place to cross where there is space to reach the pavement on the other side. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. The Code lists subways, footbridges, islands and zebra, pelican, toucan and puffin crossings as safer options, and says to avoid crossing between parked cars, on a blind bend or near the brow of a hill.
If you have to cross between parked vehicles, Rule 14 says to use the outside edges of the vehicles as if they were the kerb, stopping there and making sure you can see all around and that traffic can see you. That is much harder with a pushchair, which is one more reason to detour to a proper crossing when you can. Rule 14 also says never to cross in front of or behind a vehicle with its engine running, especially a large one, because the driver may not be able to see you. Rule 15 adds that you should never cross behind a vehicle that is reversing, showing white reversing lights or sounding a warning.
At crossings: pram in front of you
Rule 18 applies to all types of crossing and is worded to include prams. It says you should always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push a pram onto a crossing, and always cross between the studs or over the zebra markings. At a zebra crossing, Rule 19 says to give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross, and Rule 20 says that a zebra crossing with a central island is two separate crossings, so you should wait on the island and follow the same steps for the second half.
At pelican crossings, Rule 22 says to press the button and wait, and that when a steady green figure shows you should check the traffic has stopped and then cross with care. It says you should not start to cross when the green figure begins to flash, but that if you have already started you should have time to finish. With a pushchair, it can be sensible to wait for the next full green phase rather than starting on a flashing one.
Pavements and shared routes
Rule 1 says pavements should be used if provided, and that where possible you should avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If there is no pavement, Rule 2 says to keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic, to be prepared to walk in single file on narrow roads or in poor light, and to keep close to the side of the road. Rule 13 covers routes shared with cyclists: it says you should take care not to obstruct or endanger them, and to stay aware of your surroundings.
Rule 12 warns that bus and cycle lanes may carry traffic that is moving faster than the other lanes or against the flow, so it is worth taking extra care when crossing them with a pushchair.
A note on parked cars
Rule 244 says parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs. Our separate guide to pavement parking explains where the law stands in different parts of Britain.
Practical habits
These habits are our own suggestions rather than Highway Code rules: put the brake on whenever you stop at the kerb; keep the harness fastened even for a short crossing; and keep your phone in your pocket, since Rule 1 asks you to remain aware of your surroundings and avoid unnecessary distractions.
The bottom line
The Highway Code’s messages for pushchair users are simple: strap children in, keep the buggy on the pavement when you look for a gap, use a proper crossing where you can, check that traffic has stopped before pushing a pram onto a crossing, and never cross behind reversing vehicles. Following them costs nothing and applies on every walk.