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 West Virginia, jaywalking is not specifically defined in the state statutes, but it falls under pedestrian regulations. According to West Virginia Code §17C-10-1 to §17C-10-6, pedestrians must obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available. Pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no crosswalk must yield the right of way to all vehicles. Failure to comply with these rules may result in a citation and a fine. While the law emphasizes the use of crosswalks, it also acknowledges that pedestrians have the right of way at intersections with stop signs and where sidewalks are interrupted, even if there are no marked crosswalks. Penalties for jaywalking are typically less severe than for traffic violations, but they still carry fines, and repeated offenses could lead to increased penalties.