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 Hawaii, jaywalking is defined as a pedestrian crossing a roadway in an area that is not a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Hawaii state law requires that vehicles yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections, even if no specific crosswalk lines are painted on the road. However, pedestrians are expected to exercise caution and use marked crosswalks where available. If a pedestrian is found jaywalking, they may be issued a citation and fined. The fines for jaywalking are typically less severe than those for traffic violations, but they serve as a deterrent and a reminder of the importance of pedestrian safety. Pedestrians should be aware that crossing outside of a crosswalk or intersection where traffic control signals are not in place puts them at greater risk, as drivers may not be expecting to yield in those areas.