# In America, we don't stop for JayWalkers! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 21, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177 "2005-10-21T01:00:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/21 "2005-10-21T11:37:27Z")
> [@Mr. Roboto](#): > > just because the jaywalker is the same flavor Great–he’s a godless Communist _cannibal_. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/22 "2005-10-21T12:02:37Z")
I’m wondering how he determined the ‘flavour’ of the driver of a car which was 2 cars ahead of him? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/23 "2005-10-21T12:06:29Z")
OK, I am totally not on board with the racial aspect of this; I don’t want to go there, mmmkay? However, I’m a little miffed that basically, drivers have to stop for pedestrians, no matter what, and are legally liable, yet pedestrians can jaywalk or saunter across a busy intersection after the light has turned, and there’s no negative ramifications for them. I’d like to see red light cameras that bust pedestrian scofflaws. Of course there’s no good way to do that, but one can dream. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/24 "2005-10-21T12:22:05Z")
In related news, I let a little old lady pull into a parking space when clearly it was mine. FEMALE SOLIDARITY!!! ---
**Author:** ![hawkeyejo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@hawkeyejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawkeyejo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/25 "2005-10-21T12:40:04Z")
Why is it assumed that anyone who isn’t black or white isn’t an American? Both the pedestrians and the driver may have been full-fledged, vote-casting, free-speaking, brave and virtous Americans _inspite_ of their perceived foreign flavour. Or is that too strange to comprehend? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/26 "2005-10-21T13:19:04Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > I _think_ he’s applying it to someone who was _waiting_ to cross at some place other than an intersection. Of course, this is not jaywalking. Jaywalking is crossing illegally without regard for traffic. In most jurisdictions, it’s perfectly legal to wait for a break in traffic to cross the road in the middle of a block. It’s been my understanding that any crossing of the street outside of crosswalks or at corners is jaywalking. I could be wrong. But, this is the [law.com](http://law.com) definition: jaywalking n. walking across a street outside of marked cross-walks, and not at a corner, and/or against a signal light. If there is vehicle traffic or clear markings of a place to cross, this is a traffic misdemeanor subject to fine, and may be (but not conclusively) contributory negligence in the event of injury to the jaywalker by a vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/27 "2005-10-21T14:08:00Z")
I have folks just walk into the street while I’m driving all the time. The walk real slow, too. I’ve often wished I could run them over (road rage, I guess.) The whole flavor thing, though…wtf…explain that, Roboto! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/28 "2005-10-21T14:27:02Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > Hell, you have to keep your wits about you even if you’re in a crosswalk and have the light. In a school zone. People will turn right over your ass if you’re not careful. > > We just don’t _expect_ pedestrians here, I guess. Wonder why so few people walk? Beause Og forbid that anyone get in the way of anyone’s right to drive. You shouldn’t have to keep your fucking wits about you when you’re crossing the road completely legally and with the benefit of a crosswalk and a green light. Drivers should be aware of what the fuck they’re doing when they’re navigating 2+ tons of metal around the streets. **mhendo** … …who. a couple of years back, attended a funeral in which the deceased had been run down by a pickup truck while on a crosswalk in Santa Fe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/29 "2005-10-21T14:52:45Z")
It’s certainly possible that some woman was driving poorly by abetting or even encouraging mid-block crossing. Some drivers are cautious of pedestrians to a fault. Depending on the circumstances, the other drivers who changed lanes and passed a car while a jaywalker was crossing the street may also have been driving poorly and dangerously. To claim to know the _motive_ of the first driver seems a tad, well, overweening. To ascribe the motive to some commonality between the driver and the pedestrian smacks of paranoia. To assume that that commonality is necessarily racially based is offensive. To wrap that lovely bundle of neurosis up with the conclusion that diversity is bad for traffic is, let’s see, pathetic. And if you can’t say “deja-vu” in a span of three blocks, you’re either driving much too fast or your elocution is as bad as your spelling. Is this due to the interference of some group of people somehow different from you? They do it on _purpose_, you know. It looks as though there may be worse things than bad drivers on the streets of Atlantis. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/30 "2005-10-21T15:39:02Z")
I don’t know about the rest of you but it sounds like the second pedestrian wasn’t even in the street when the driver stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/31 "2005-10-21T15:41:03Z")
Fuck you, and the SUV you drove in … errr… in. [sub]_damn_[/sub] What is the solution? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/32 "2005-10-21T16:08:39Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > I _think_ he’s applying it to someone who was _waiting_ to cross at some place other than an intersection. … > > It _is_ bizarre and dangerous for a driver to give up their right-of-way at such a place – especially if there’s other traffic. I interpret the same way. I wish the OP would clear this up so that I know which way to wax wroth. And when I’m jaywalking, I _hate_ it when cars stop for me. DON’T!!! You completely hose the system when you do that. I’ve got my weaving all planned out, and stopping throws a wrench into everybody’s plans. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/33 "2005-10-21T16:10:54Z")
Baby, you don’t know **shit** about not stoppin’ for Jaywalkers. [THIS GUY](http://stpetersburgtimes.com/2005/10/20/Tampabay/Driver_goes_3_miles_w.shtml) is the biggest anti-jaywalker-non-stopper in the business! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/34 "2005-10-21T17:18:57Z")
So, if the jaywalkers had been white, there would have been no problem with the lady stopping? Is that what you’re saying, **Mr. R**? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/35 "2005-10-21T17:33:22Z")
I need some clarification. Was she passing by potential jay-walkers of other flavors, only to stop at jay-walkers of hers? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Roboto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr.Roboto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Roboto)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/36 "2005-10-21T17:34:46Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I interpret the same way. I wish the OP would clear this up so that I know which way to wax wroth. > > And when I’m jaywalking, I _hate_ it when cars stop for me. DON’T!!! You completely hose the system when you do that. I’ve got my weaving all planned out, and stopping throws a wrench into everybody’s plans. I thought I cleared it up by mentioning, “Mid-Block” In Long Beach, CA. I am traveling west on Anaheim Blvd. Traffic suddenly stops mid-block. It is not a childs ball,pet or senior citizen…On the otherside of the blvd. (southside) a jaywalker is poised to run accross six lanes of traffic to get to the north side of the street. This driver decides she is going to stop, mid-block, in the lefthand lane to encourage the jaywalker, two cars in front of me abruptly stop and I swerve into the middle turn area to avoid slamming & skidding. Possibly, fender-bending the vehicle in front of me. As the Jaywalker runs accross the street and we proceed westbound, the two cars in front of me want nothing to do with this driver and immediately pass around her leaving me directly behind her. This scenario is repeated 3 blocks later in exactly the same manner. As I ask myself, why would anybody drive like this…(keeping the aforementioned facts in mind) I surmize, if I was in a foreign country, lets say Tasmania, and while I’m motoring I spot another American accross the street wishing to run to the otherside, I stop mid-blvd, oblivious to the other traffic behind me traveling 35 to 45 MPH, just to allow another countryman an invitation to get accross, I am not aware that I’ve almost cause a collision behind me because I feel this special connection to the Pedestrian. 3 blocks later, I spot another countryman wishing to cross mid-block, I will again show my allegiance and damn the Tasmanian drivers, I have no connection to them even if this is there home country. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Roboto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr.Roboto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Roboto)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/37 "2005-10-21T17:49:37Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > So, if the jaywalkers had been white, there would have been no problem with the lady stopping? Is that what you’re saying, **Mr. R**? Alice, I’m saying at the risk of unnecessarily causing an accident, don’t stop for Jaywalkers, as mentioned before, they don’t want you to stop either! they are waiting for the traffic to pass. In a case where you spot a child, senior citizen or a mother w/children wishing to cross mid-block and you check your mirror and you will not be impeding traffic, stop…hand-signal…engage your emergency Flashers,whatever it takes to accomodate saftey. However, when nothing else matters than to accomodate a fellow countryman at the expense of saftey first and jeopardizing the other motorists, I draw the line! ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/38 "2005-10-21T17:52:52Z")
Jaywalking is illegal and they will ticket you for it. More than one of my friends have been ticketed. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/39 "2005-10-21T17:59:06Z")
> [@Mr. Roboto](#): > > On the otherside of the blvd. (southside) a jaywalker is poised to run accross six lanes of traffic to get to the north side of the street. This driver decides she is going to stop, mid-block, in the lefthand lane to encourage the jaywalker, two cars in front of me abruptly stop and I swerve into the middle turn area to avoid slamming & skidding. Possibly, fender-bending the vehicle in front of me. As the Jaywalker runs accross the street and we proceed westbound, the two cars in front of me want nothing to do with this driver and immediately pass around her leaving me directly behind her. This scenario is repeated 3 blocks later in exactly the same manner. Like I figured. Someone who suddenly stops in the middle of a block to wait for a pedestrian _who isn’t even in the street yet_ is dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177/40 "2005-10-21T17:59:39Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Baby, you don’t know **shit** about not stoppin’ for Jaywalkers. > > [THIS GUY](http://stpetersburgtimes.com/2005/10/20/Tampabay/Driver_goes_3_miles_w.shtml) is the biggest anti-jaywalker-non-stopper in the business! I love this part– > [@](#): > > He will probably not face criminal charges, as he appeared unaware that he had been involved in an accident, Jockers said What the hell? You dismember someone with your car and it’s not your fault because you didn’t know it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-we-dont-stop-for-jaywalkers/327177.md?page=3)