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 Tennessee, jaywalking is not specifically defined by state statutes, but it generally refers to the act of a pedestrian crossing a roadway outside of a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Tennessee law requires that pedestrians obey traffic control devices and use crosswalks where available (Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-134). Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway if they are crossing anywhere other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Conversely, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within any marked crosswalk or at any intersection without traffic control devices (Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-135). Penalties for jaywalking are typically minor and may include a fine. Enforcement of jaywalking laws can vary by locality within the state, and pedestrians are advised to cross streets safely and legally to avoid citations and ensure their safety.