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It’s very interesting to visit compact cities like San Francisco, DC, and NYY, and see how much people jaywalk without a worry. Having walked across the street

It’s very interesting to visit compact cities like San Francisco, DC, and NYY, and see how much people jaywalk without a worry. Having walked across the street outside of a crosswalk an uncountable number of times, I cannot recall ever being stopped or being alone. Seems people can adequately decide the risk. It would be better to put the onerous on safety back on to vehicles, but this new law could be used to justify blocking traffic.

momokoko 6y ago
This is because, at least in California and New York, jaywalking is not a crime. It is a civil infraction. This means there is no criminal record or court/jail time. It’s a ticket just like a parking or speeding ticket. I find it hard to believe people believe we should be allowed to just hang out in the street. It’s there for general safety of everyone. Could we adjust the rule to account for situations where no cars are around? Sure. But obviously we can’t have a rule where people are allowed to just cross busy city streets at will anywhere. It would be terrible for overall mobility in the city as well as dangerous. These articles are just typical internet extremism and conspiracy theories about “Big Something”. It’s a non issue most places.
- ck425 6y ago
  > But obviously we can’t have a rule where people are allowed to just cross busy city streets at will anywhere. It would be terrible for overall mobility in the city as well as dangerous. That's how many many countries operate and it's actually relatively safe.
nomel 6y ago
> San Francisco, DC, and NYY, and see how much people jaywalk without a worry. I'm only familiar with San Fransisco, but the speed difference between a car in San Fransisco and a human is often pretty slight. Bicycles are usually the highest speed object.
throwaway0a5e 6y ago
Having lived in several major cities I think that most traffic (pedestrian, car and bike) behaves reasonably and predictably. Online discussion is dominated by people who are only ever in one of the above groups and wants the law to completely and totally favor them at the expense of the others. I don't think this jaywalking thing is a big deal or that much changes with/without a law.

momokoko 6y ago

This is because, at least in California and New York, jaywalking is not a crime. It is a civil infraction. This means there is no criminal record or court/jail time. It’s a ticket just like a parking or speeding ticket. I find it hard to believe people believe we should be allowed to just hang out in the street. It’s there for general safety of everyone. Could we adjust the rule to account for situations where no cars are around? Sure. But obviously we can’t have a rule where people are allowed to just cross busy city streets at will anywhere. It would be terrible for overall mobility in the city as well as dangerous. These articles are just typical internet extremism and conspiracy theories about “Big Something”. It’s a non issue most places.

ck425 6y ago
> But obviously we can’t have a rule where people are allowed to just cross busy city streets at will anywhere. It would be terrible for overall mobility in the city as well as dangerous. That's how many many countries operate and it's actually relatively safe.

nomel 6y ago

> San Francisco, DC, and NYY, and see how much people jaywalk without a worry. I'm only familiar with San Fransisco, but the speed difference between a car in San Fransisco and a human is often pretty slight. Bicycles are usually the highest speed object.

throwaway0a5e 6y ago

Having lived in several major cities I think that most traffic (pedestrian, car and bike) behaves reasonably and predictably. Online discussion is dominated by people who are only ever in one of the above groups and wants the law to completely and totally favor them at the expense of the others. I don't think this jaywalking thing is a big deal or that much changes with/without a law.