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 Maine, jaywalking is not specifically defined by state statutes, but pedestrians are generally required to obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available. Under Maine law, Title 29-A, Section 2056, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles when crossing a road at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Vehicles, on the other hand, must yield to pedestrians within any marked or unmarked crosswalks. At intersections with stop signs or where a sidewalk is interrupted, such as alleyways, pedestrians typically have the right of way even without marked crosswalks. While jaywalking may not carry penalties as severe as other traffic violations, fines can still be imposed for pedestrians who fail to adhere to these rules. The exact fine for jaywalking can vary depending on the municipality within Maine, and a warning or citation may be issued by law enforcement officers to pedestrians who violate these provisions.