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 Arkansas, jaywalking is not specifically defined in state statutes, but it falls under pedestrian traffic regulations. Arkansas law requires pedestrians to obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available (Ark. Code Ann. § 27-51-1201 and § 27-51-1202). Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Marked crosswalks are typically designated by white painted lines, and drivers are required to yield to pedestrians within them. At intersections with stop signs or where a sidewalk is interrupted by an alleyway, pedestrians generally have the right of way even without marked crosswalks. While jaywalking may not carry penalties as severe as other traffic violations, fines can be imposed for pedestrian violations. The exact penalty can vary by locality within the state, and enforcement may depend on the circumstances of the violation and the discretion of the officer.