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Not surprising to read that Los Angeles was the starting point for jaywalking laws. Still today, it enforces them harder than most other cities. Try running acr

Not surprising to read that Los Angeles was the starting point for jaywalking laws. Still today, it enforces them harder than most other cities. Try running across an empty street with no crosswalk for 1/4 mile in either direction in front of a cop. It's likely that you'll still receive a fine citation. I'd like to see it replaced with an "impeding traffic" law that would only apply if you're actually putting yourself or others in danger. But I presume the city makes too much money from the current jaywalking law to make that change. The relationship between automakers and L.A.'s city government back in the 20s an 30s is an interesting topic. They seem to have had an enormous amount of power over the city. Automakers were instrumental in shutting down the extensive subway system as it transformed into the car based city it is today. Was this due to corruption or was L.A. just preparing for what we thought would be the future of transportation?

sundvor 9y ago
Wow, didn't know it was that bad. In Australia, as a ped (pedestrian) you may cross at any time when you're more than 20 metres away from a pedestrian crossing - if closer, you may get done. It's pretty darned rare for a police officer to charge you though, it'd almost have to a be a "safety blitz" or for the person to have their head down in their phone whilst doing so. Seems much more sensible, and reasonable - basically you're technically free to cross as long as you're not immediately next to a pedestrian crossing, in which case use that. Pedestrian crossing light control system is heavily geared towards cars, though, as pressing the button never changes the current cycle but merely says we'll consider your needs at the next check point. These intervals may be several minutes long (at least that's what they typically feel like). I'm comparing this to Norway when pressing the button often has a rather immediate effect.
freehunter 9y ago
Granted I don't live in LA, but I've visited many times and I'm surprised by this comment because it doesn't match my experience. I"m much more familiar with Chicago, where a taxi cab will jump a curb just for the chance to run down a pedestrian. Meanwhile every time I've tried to cross a road in LA, the minute I lift one foot off the ground while standing at a crosswalk, traffic in both directions comes screeching to a halt with drivers waving me on against the light. I've found drivers in LA to be far more lenient to the random whims of others (pedestrians and drivers alike) than most cities I've visited.
- kevinschumacher 9y ago
  At crosswalks that don’t have lights, they have to stop for you when you’re there. This is also heavily enforced. But in areas without crosswalks, you’ll get a ticket for stepping into the street even if there are no cars coming. Edit: clarity
  - kazinator 9y ago
    If no motor vehicles are coming, then no police car or motor bike is coming, so you don't get a ticket. Unless it's a cop on horseback or bicycle. Or else the cop was already present there on foot, in which case don't do that! People who get tickets deserve them because they are obviously not paying attention to their surroundings. If you can't see that a cop is there, what else can't you see?

sundvor 9y ago

Wow, didn't know it was that bad. In Australia, as a ped (pedestrian) you may cross at any time when you're more than 20 metres away from a pedestrian crossing - if closer, you may get done. It's pretty darned rare for a police officer to charge you though, it'd almost have to a be a "safety blitz" or for the person to have their head down in their phone whilst doing so. Seems much more sensible, and reasonable - basically you're technically free to cross as long as you're not immediately next to a pedestrian crossing, in which case use that. Pedestrian crossing light control system is heavily geared towards cars, though, as pressing the button never changes the current cycle but merely says we'll consider your needs at the next check point. These intervals may be several minutes long (at least that's what they typically feel like). I'm comparing this to Norway when pressing the button often has a rather immediate effect.

freehunter 9y ago

Granted I don't live in LA, but I've visited many times and I'm surprised by this comment because it doesn't match my experience. I"m much more familiar with Chicago, where a taxi cab will jump a curb just for the chance to run down a pedestrian. Meanwhile every time I've tried to cross a road in LA, the minute I lift one foot off the ground while standing at a crosswalk, traffic in both directions comes screeching to a halt with drivers waving me on against the light. I've found drivers in LA to be far more lenient to the random whims of others (pedestrians and drivers alike) than most cities I've visited.

kevinschumacher 9y ago
At crosswalks that don’t have lights, they have to stop for you when you’re there. This is also heavily enforced. But in areas without crosswalks, you’ll get a ticket for stepping into the street even if there are no cars coming. Edit: clarity
- kazinator 9y ago
  If no motor vehicles are coming, then no police car or motor bike is coming, so you don't get a ticket. Unless it's a cop on horseback or bicycle. Or else the cop was already present there on foot, in which case don't do that! People who get tickets deserve them because they are obviously not paying attention to their surroundings. If you can't see that a cop is there, what else can't you see?