Jaywalking refers to a pedestrian who enters a roadway (usually to cross to the other side) in a place where there is no marked crosswalk or unmarked (but legally recognized) crosswalk. Jaywalking can be dangerous because vehicles may not have an obligation to yield to pedestrians where there is no crosswalk.

White painted lines generally designate a marked crosswalk where drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Pedestrians may also have the right of way at stop sign intersections and alleyway entrances where a sidewalk is interrupted, for example—even if there are no painted lines or crosswalk markings.

Although jaywalking tickets or citations are usually not as significant as traffic violations, there may be a fine attached to a ticket or citation—especially if the pedestrian does not accept the police officer’s admonishment about the dangers of jaywalking.

In California, jaywalking is regulated under the California Vehicle Code (CVC). The CVC defines proper pedestrian behavior and establishes where and when pedestrians are allowed to cross the road. Jaywalking typically occurs when a pedestrian crosses a roadway outside of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections, even if no crosswalk is painted on the roadway. However, pedestrians are generally not given the right of way when crossing elsewhere and must yield to vehicular traffic. Penalties for jaywalking can include fines, and while these fines are typically less severe than those for traffic violations, they can still be a financial burden. Additionally, local ordinances may also have specific rules and penalties regarding pedestrian crossings and jaywalking. It's important for pedestrians to understand and adhere to these laws to ensure their safety and avoid citations.