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 Connecticut, jaywalking is addressed under state statutes that regulate pedestrian behavior and traffic control. Specifically, Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-300(c) requires pedestrians to use marked crosswalks where they are provided and prohibits crossing at any place except at a marked crosswalk between adjacent intersections with traffic control signals. Pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks, but outside of these areas, vehicles are not required to yield. At intersections with stop signs or where a sidewalk is interrupted, pedestrians are generally afforded the right of way even without marked crosswalks. However, pedestrians must always exercise due care and not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield (Section 14-300(d)). Violations of these regulations can result in fines, and while the penalties for jaywalking may not be as severe as for traffic violations, law enforcement officers can issue citations to pedestrians who fail to adhere to these rules.