zebra crossing (thing)

In Britain, a method to cross the road.

Zebra crossings are denoted by a series of black and white stripes across the road (the black stripes are often darker than the road):

______________________________
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         |         |
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         |         |
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         |         |
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         |         |
         ###########
         |         |
         ###########          

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have right of way over road traffic at any time, no matter how stupidly they are behaving. This abnormal power must be used responsibly, or much pissed-offedness will ensue.

The correct way to use a zebra crossing is as follows:

1. Put one foot on the zebra crossing, to indicate to drivers that you intend to cross
   (Traffic may not stop for you if you simply wait by the side of the road)
2. Any traffic in the road will stop¹
3. Continue across the road.

An optional accessory for zebra crossings is the Belisha beacon, an illuminated orange globe atop a black and white striped pole, to draw motorists' attention to the zebra crossing as they approach.

Zebra crossings have also been sighted in Canada, New Zealand (by Master Villain), and Japan, but I make no claims as to them operating the same way.

1 - it may be alarming to Americans that this actually works.