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 Pennsylvania, jaywalking is not specifically defined in the state's Vehicle Code, but it is generally understood to mean when a pedestrian crosses a roadway outside of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Pennsylvania law requires that pedestrians obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available (75 Pa.C.S. § 3542). When there is no crosswalk, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles on the roadway. However, even where no crosswalk is present, drivers are required to exercise care to avoid hitting pedestrians (75 Pa.C.S. § 3542(b)). Marked crosswalks are typically designated by white painted lines, and at these locations, drivers must yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians also have the right of way at intersections with stop signs or where a sidewalk is interrupted by an alleyway entrance, even if there are no painted crosswalk markings. While jaywalking may not carry penalties as severe as other traffic violations, fines can still be imposed for pedestrians who ignore the rules. The exact fine for jaywalking can vary by municipality within the state.