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 Wisconsin, jaywalking is not specifically defined by 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. Wisconsin law requires that vehicles yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with a walk signal. However, pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside of these designated areas. Local ordinances may provide more specific regulations regarding pedestrian crossing and jaywalking. Fines for jaywalking can vary depending on the municipality, and while they are typically less severe than those for traffic violations, they can still be imposed. Pedestrians should be aware of local laws and exercise caution when crossing roadways to ensure their safety and compliance with the law.