Have you ever crossed in the middle of a quiet street, rather than walking the extra few feet to the crosswalk? Maybe you’ve seen another pedestrian do this, and maybe it was a busy street! Crossing a street illegally is one form of jaywalking. Jaywalking happens when someone violates pedestrian traffic laws.
Pedestrians are required to follow traffic control signals or traffic control officers/law enforcement at all times, even when there’s no visible traffic on the roadway.
The most common form of jaywalking is crossing a roadway at any point other than a legal crossing point. Pedestrians are legally allowed to cross at marked and unmarked crosswalks. An unmarked crosswalk exists at any intersection where the roadways meet at approximately 90-degree angles and there are one or more sidewalks that continue over the roadway.
Marked crosswalks are marked with sets of broad white lines across the road. All crosswalks are reserved for pedestrian traffic.
Any time you cross a roadway at a spot that isn’t a crosswalk, it is considered jaywalking. Other actions can be considered jaywalking, too. Many states forbid walking in the street when a sidewalk is available.
Jaywalking is usually considered an infraction, meaning that it’s a minor or petty offense that wouldn’t be tried in front of a jury. If you are charged with jaywalking, you’ll likely have to pay a fine. Depending on the state, the fines may be hefty. Some local jurisdictions will judge jaywalking more seriously, so make sure to review local pedestrian laws in your area to learn more about the penalties.
Jaywalking may not seem like a big deal, but in reality, it’s incredibly dangerous. Not only does it put you in danger when you do it, it also puts motorists and other pedestrians in danger. Traffic laws are put into place to keep everyone safe. Even though it may be more convenient to cross in the middle of the street, it’s certainly not the smartest option from a legal and safety standpoint.
We hope this helps you understand jaywalking a little better! If you like learning about traffic safety, check out our website! Our online courses are a great way to learn more about traffic laws in your state.
Have you ever crossed in the middle of a quiet street, rather than walking the extra few feet to the crosswalk? Maybe you’ve seen another pedestrian do this, and maybe it was a busy street! Crossing a street illegally is one form of jaywalking. Jaywalking happens when someone violates pedestrian traffic laws.