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 Nebraska, jaywalking is not specifically defined in state statutes, but it generally refers to the act of pedestrians crossing the road outside of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Nebraska law requires that pedestrians obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available (NE Rev Stat § 60-6,150). Vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or at intersections with stop signs (NE Rev Stat § 60-6,133). However, if a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an intersection crosswalk, they must yield the right of way to all vehicles. Pedestrians also have the right of way when walking on a sidewalk that crosses an alleyway entrance or driveway. While penalties for jaywalking are not as severe as for traffic violations, fines can be imposed for such infractions, and law enforcement may issue a citation or warning to pedestrians who violate these rules.