Jaywalking tickets in NYC? Bwahahahaha! Sounds like something that would happen in a major metroplis like - uh - Milwaukee. Hope NYC’s finest weren’t engaging in any inappropriate profiling in their valiant attempt to stem the tide of deviant strollers.
Treat yourself to a trip to Chi-town to see what life is like in a big city. The only folk who wait for the walk sign around here are the same ones gawking, “Lookit them tall buildings, Maude! I bet them’s bigger than the elevator over in Dubuque.”
I wonder if they would have ticketed you if you had been wearing knee high black socks with sandals, a John Deere mesh cap, an “I LOVE NYC” shirt, and carrying a copy of Fodor’s guide to the Burroughs?
Or those who were brought up to obey the law, like me.
I was on a jury once and remember part of the judge’s instructions included that we had to consider whether the plaintiff had taken “due and proper caution for his own safety” in considering the relative guilt of the other driver (IIRC it involved two cars which collided at a blind intersection). To me, walking in front of a car which has the legal right-of-way makes me at least partially at fault. Yes, I know that “pedestrian right-of-way” supposedly applies, but I’d rather not have my estate using this arguement on my widow’s behalf. If I get hit by a car while crossing the street, I’m going to have the law on my side.
Not that I’ve never crossed against the light; if there is absolutely no traffic and I’m in a hurry, I’ll take my chances. But I never cease to be amazed at people who just step off the curb without even looking to see if there’s a car coming.
I do, however, agree that being forced to go to court instead of being allowed to just pay your fine by mail is a bit stupid.
Hey, fuck you, Iowans jaywalk just as much as anyone else, especially in the university cities. In Ames you don’t even have to look before stepping into traffic.