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 Vermont, jaywalking is not specifically defined under state statutes, but pedestrian traffic is regulated under Title 23 (Motor Vehicles) of the Vermont Statutes. According to Vermont law, pedestrians must use marked crosswalks where they are provided and obey pedestrian signals. Where there are no marked crosswalks, pedestrians should cross at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite sidewalk. While Vermont law does not have a specific statute for jaywalking, pedestrians are generally required to yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway if they are crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or an intersection. Fines for pedestrian violations can be imposed, and while they may not be as significant as those for traffic violations, they serve as a deterrent to unsafe crossing practices. Pedestrians also have the right of way at stop signs and where a sidewalk is interrupted by an alleyway entrance, even if there are no painted crosswalk lines.