As Rylan Clark shocks fans with his scathing attack on 'rude' pedestrians, an etiquette expert has settled the driving debate once and for all.
The presenter dubbed a pedestrian a 'rude p**ck' for not thanking him for 'allowing him' to cross on a zebra crossing in a now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter. But it's raised the question, how are you meant to properly use a zebra crossing?
And as a pedestrian, do you need to thank drivers for stopping to let you cross, or are you well within your right to cross without thanking them as it's your right of way? Brits are known for their politeness, but since Rylan's tweet, people have been sent into a spiral over the 'correct' way to cross the road.
READ MORE: Angry Brits weigh in on driving etiquette row after Rylan Clark's deleted tweet
In Rylan's deleted post, he fumed: "I know it's the law and that pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings... BUT SAY THANK YOU OR POP UR HAND UP. Rude pr**ks... (Stuck in traffic and annoyed)."
To settle the furious debate that has now sparked online, The Mirror spoke to Liz Wyse, an etiquette expert at Debrett's, the oracle for all things manners and etiquette. So, if you were wondering how an etiquette expert would cross the road, Liz advised: "Motorists are obliged to give way at zebra crossings to pedestrians and therefore pedestrians are under no obligation to acknowledge the gesture.
"However, as with all polite gestures, a nod of thanks is always appreciated, even if it is by no means necessary and there can be no recrimination if us not offered."
Road rage is a real thing, and any driver will be all too aware of the frustrations of sitting in traffic, being cut up or just simply coming across bad drivers, but there are ways you can be a polite and well-mannered driver according to the experts at Debrett's.
"Once in a car, normal manners may fly out the window. Encased in you can feel invincible, confident that other drivers will not detect your anger through the glass windows and the engine noise," the team at Debrett's explained. They then reminded drivers: "A car is a potentially lethal weapon and a good driver will always remember this before using it as a way of expressing frustration or red-blooded rage. It goes without saying, therefore, that aggressive driving should be avoided at all costs."
According to the Highway Code, motorists in the UK should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road and must give way to those preparing to walk across a zebra crossing. Failure to stop once a person has already set foot on a crossing may result in a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, plus three points on your licence.
Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com
READ MORE: I tried on New Look's autumn collection and bought four cosy items I'll be wearing all season
