Since 2015, Maastricht has had a rainbow crossing near the Vrijthof. This colourful crossing, with six coloured stripes instead of white ones, replaced the old zebra crossing.
Rainbow crossings and right of way
Because this rainbow crossing had been placed in the wrong spot, it was temporarily removed. It will return in the spring of this year. But how do the right-of-way rules on this colourful crossing actually work?
Rainbow crossings may look cheerful, but they also cause quite a bit of confusion. At the moment, the Vrijthof is closed to car traffic by retractable bollards. But what if those bollards are down — do you, as a pedestrian, then have right of way on the rainbow crossing?
The short answer is 'no'. A rainbow crossing is not an official pedestrian crossing, despite its resemblance to a zebra crossing, which has white stripes marked on the (black) road surface. A zebra crossing is also indicated by a road sign or traffic lights.
A work of art
A rainbow crossing is nothing more and nothing less than a work of art on the road surface, meant to draw attention to the acceptance of diversity in sexuality and gender.
Drivers do not have to give way to pedestrians wanting to cross at a rainbow crossing — unless other traffic measures require it, of course. So keep a close eye out!
At a 'normal' zebra crossing, you do of course have right of way as a pedestrian. Fail to give way as a car or motorcycle driver, moped rider or cyclist? That can land you a fine of €380, €260 and €150 respectively.
Van hire in Echt? Safely cross the rainbow crossing in one of our vans.
