What is jaywalking and why is it illegal?

Answer 1

Jay walking is one of a few things. It can be crossing the road at an angle, which means you are on the road for longer. It can be when you cross the road at somewhere when there is a crossing/lights nearby, which you should have used. Basically the law is there to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Answer 2

Jaywalking is crossing the street in the middle of the street and not at the crosswalk. It's illegal because you could be hit by a car and block up traffic.

Answer 3

Jaywalking is when you cross the street at a place other than the cross walk...it's very difficult to drive if you have people popping up from behind cars to dart across the street instead of seeing that you're coming up to a crosswalk and that it has people that want to cross in it

Answer 4

Walking outside of a crosswalk or crossing a street against the traffic control device... Constitutes Jaywalking.
Pedestrians , in general usually have "right of way" , laws change from state to state.. An example , Nevada is a pedestrian friendly state , pedestrians have the "right of way".......Given they follow the law...... In Nevada all a pedestrian has to do at an uncontrolled crosswalk is take one step into the crosswalk , this virtually activates the crosswalk , giving legal "right of way " to the pedestrian , at this time the traffic should stop and allow "right of way" to the pedestrian..... This isn't what always happens , usually because the pedestrian doesn't know the law , or his rights given by the laws..... In Nevada at a traffic controlled intersection the pedestrian only has the "right of way" when the traffic controll device indicates walk in the direction of the pedestrians intended route. Anything else is considered Jaywalking misdemeanor traffic violation..................
The Laws are in place to protect you the pedestrian and you the driver...........
Roads are places for cars . Drivers are expecting to encounter vehicular traffic on streets and roadways... Drivers are expexted to look for pedestrians (all the time) but specifically at intersections and Pedestrian crossings indicated by traffic saftey signs......Drivers are not expected to anticipate pedestrian on traffic thoroughfares. Case in point , It is illeagal in any state for pedestrian traffic on Highways or Interstates . This law is specifically in place to protect the pedestrian !!!!!............
The middle of the street is no place for a pedestrian , cars aren't expecting you to be in their path of travel.........

Pedestrians have a responsibility , to safely traverse
traffic, without seriously impeding it......................

Answer 5

When you cross the street and you are not crossing in a marked cross walk or at an intersection. It is illegal because you cannot cross anywhere in the street for your own safety.

Answer 6

crossing a street outside a crosswalk's lines..its the law..get over it..