4 ms·
I believe jaywalking is illegal, and enforced in Seattle. When I'm in the UK I will normally not press the pedestrian button (unless its the type of pedestrian
by Balero 8y ago
I believe jaywalking is illegal, and enforced in Seattle.
When I'm in the UK I will normally not press the pedestrian button (unless its the type of pedestrian only crossing which only activate with the button, not on traffic lights on a junction) . But when I'm in the US, or a different country with jaywalking laws, I will stick to the rules much more rigidly.
I also really enjoy the first time crossing a road when I get back, the taste of freedom!
- s1mon 8y agoJaywalking is illegal pretty much everywhere in the US, but enforcement is very selective and regional.
- Steltek 8y agoJaywalking is a $1 ticket in Massachusetts. I believe it's there simply to assign fault in a crash.
- pc86 8y agoA crash involving whom? I'd be shocked if a driver can hit a jaywalking pedestrian and not be at fault.
- mxwsn 8y agoThe idea is that the higher purpose of a $1 ticket is creating a paper trail of jaywalking behavior that could be useful in court.
- nabnob 8y agoIt can definitely happen. I'm guessing it varies state by state, but I was hit by a car while out running. I was crossing at a green light, didn't press the button, and a car made a left turn at the same time and hit me. The police report said the driver was not at fault.
- cannonedhamster 8y agoMassachusetts pedestrians are only guaranteed right of way in marked crosswalks that do not have a signal. When there is a signal the light denotes right of way. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter89/Section11 https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Ch...
- pintxo 8y agoThat's interesting. Just checked it for Germany, sensibly it's fined if you walk on the Autobahn or some other street limited to cars only. Crossing any other street - even if there is a crosswalk nearby - will only be fined if you at least create a danger for someone else. And then it's all <= 10€.
- neom 8y agoI always thought jaywalking was crossing outside of a marked crosswalk? I didn't know it had anything to do with the colour of the traffic light, that said, I also live in New York and we got our own rules anyhow.
- SketchySeaBeast 8y agoAs far as I'm aware, jaywalking is crossing outside a crosswalk (in my area I believe all intersections are considered to have crosswalks), OR against a light. If the hand says no go and you go, you're jaywalking.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- r_klancer 8y agoFirst time I visited Seattle, I crossed a wide-ish, but completely clear street against the light. When I got across, an homeless-looking guy came running up to tell me, "Don't do that, man! Fifty dollars, and they'll catch you!" I remember wondering how anyone ever got anywhere.
- olyjohn 8y agoWeird. I've been downtown for 3 years now, and I've never seen or heard of anybody getting a jaywalking ticket. I pretty much use the New York style and cross the street when it's clear. I feel like I'm a competent enough adult to see when it's clear to go. However, I do watch the signals and give cars right-of-way when they have it. What people do here is continue to cross after they lose right-of-way. This means cars have to sit through 3 or 4 lights before they can turn the corner. That's half the traffic problem with downtown Seattle.
- MikeHolman 8y agoI live in Seattle as well, and last year I saw some lady jay walk right in front of a cop car. The cop yelled out, "Hey maybe use the crosswalk next time." Without even turning around, she flipped the cop off and kept walking. No ticket, nothing.
- NPMaxwell 8y agoAs far as I can tell, in Seattle, jaywalking is enforced with $60 fines for about a month every five years or so. Between fining episodes, rumors maintain obedience.