Conquest Law Solicitors have successfully challenged South Yorkshire Police’s (SYP) attempted prosecution of a client pursued for allegedly driving without reasonable consideration to others at a “Nightmare” zebra crossing in South Yorkshire.

This comes off the back of a campaign which has since become a national phenomenon regarding a zebra crossing situated on Broom Lane, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has since expressed concerns on behalf of her constituents regarding this matter, with greater consideration to be applied by the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, as confirmed by their Chief Executive, namely Sharon Kemp OBE. Further background can be accessed on the following links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gm7ymd2njo

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/transport/police-teams-to-be-deployed-to-unsafe- rotherham-crossing-after-concerns-raised-5021401

https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/police-teams-to-be-deployed-to- unsafe-broom-lane-crossing-after-concerns-raised-5021444

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/police-supervise-unsafe-zebra- crossing-31144101

The BBC article dated 11 March 2025 contains a video from a member of the public seeking to establish that vehicles fail to stop at the Broom Lane “Nightmare” zebra crossing. Having analysed this video, SYP pursued our client.

However, upon critical analysis from Conquest Law Solicitors’ expert legal team, it became apparent that the client did not break any laws; in fact, he may have also been the victim of entrapment.

THE LAW

Whilst there is no dispute behind the campaign and the intentions of public members, this video is purporting to demonstrate unreasonable drivers was flawed. The video contains an element of biased actions from the recording pedestrian in an attempt to establish that drivers are breaking the law by driving over a zebra crossing without reasonable consideration to others; the pedestrian sought to ‘entrap’ our client.

Rule 18 of the Highway Code (all crossings) states that the pedestrian should only cross when the traffic has stopped.

Rule 19 of the Highway Code (zebra crossings) states that the pedestrians must allow traffic to stop in both directions or the road should be clear before they cross. This rule makes it clear that flowing traffic is not required to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing.

Rule 195 of the Highway Code states that drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross; nevertheless, this is not a given and is discretionary is law, not mandatory. It only becomes mandatory once the pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.

Before any pedestrian moves onto a crossing, they are required to abide by Rules 18 and 19 of the Highway Code which sets out the conduct to be displayed by pedestrians. In this case concerning our client, the pedestrian did not abide by this. Rather, they have sought to promote their campaign and forcefully attempt to enter the zebra crossing despite a flow of traffic where the drivers are not obligated to stop. This was a clear case of ‘entrapment’ for the benefit of the campaign.

The team at Conquest Law Solicitors critically analysed the evidence SYP sought to rely upon, as well as diligently considering the laws which govern this area, and provided a robust response to SYP.

Although SYP initially responded by stating that our client’s case had been authorised for prosecution so matters can only be challenged in court, Conquest Law Solicitors provided a further analysis on the contemporary case. This has now resulted in the head of department at SYP to overturn this decision and to cancel this offence entirely. No further action will be taken, and matters will no longer proceed to court; justice has been served.

Our client can now go back to plying his day-to-day trade and put all this behind him. However, this won’t make up for months of stress and worry endured by him as a result of the impending prosecution. All of this could have been avoided if SYP had approached this objectively and undertook the investigation and analysis fairly, rather than being pressured by an ongoing campaign which became a national phenomenon.

If you require representation to challenge a decision you believe should not stand or wish to appeal a matter in the Magistrates’ or Crown Court, please feel free to contact our Yorkshire Office at 01709 458786 or our London Office at 0208 226 5786. Our team of experienced Solicitors are well placed to advise you on the best points and strategies to deploy and to deal with the allegations you are faced with.