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 Oregon, jaywalking is addressed under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 814.010, which states that pedestrians must obey traffic control devices unless otherwise directed by a police officer. Pedestrians are required to yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Marked crosswalks are typically designated by white painted lines, and drivers are required to yield to pedestrians within these crosswalks. Pedestrians also have the right of way at intersections with stop signs and where sidewalks are interrupted, such as alleyway entrances, even if there are no explicit crosswalk markings. While jaywalking may not carry penalties as severe as other traffic violations, fines can still be imposed for violations. The exact fine for jaywalking can vary, and if a pedestrian chooses not to heed a police officer's warning, they may receive a citation that includes a monetary penalty.