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 North Carolina, jaywalking is addressed under state statutes that regulate pedestrian behavior and traffic control. Specifically, pedestrians are generally required to use marked crosswalks when crossing streets in urban or residential areas. When a marked crosswalk is not available, pedestrians are expected to cross at the most direct route and yield to all vehicles on the roadway. North Carolina law stipulates that where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. However, pedestrians are prohibited from suddenly leaving a curb or other place of safety and walking or running into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. Penalties for jaywalking in North Carolina may include fines, and while they are typically less severe than those for traffic violations, they are intended to reinforce the importance of pedestrian safety and compliance with traffic laws.