The English spell it 'courtesy'. Just a courtesy post.
And I agree, what a stupid law.
I got ticketed for jaywalking
- Thread starter Alidar Jarok
- Start date
The English spell it 'courtesy'. Just a courtesy post.
And I agree, what a stupid law.
This isn't like cutting across seven lanes of traffic (if you count the turn lane) while not even bothering to RUN, while traffic is coming. I think I know what and where you've seen it and why it ticks you off--but this situation is really ridiculous.
You know what's even funnier? When I was in college, in a small town, I actually had a cop stop to LET me jaywalk--actually waved me across the street. No kidding. I'm sure they knew in a college town that there was no enforcing a law like that.
Yes. Cops have to come to court on their days off, so it'll inconvenience the bastard at the very least. Perhaps next time he'll find an actual crime to prevent or address.
Yes go to court...it can't hurt...especially go to court if it's a moving violation you can usually talk it down unless it's a very bad offense of course.
Well I've never seen this passionate hatred for jaywalking before.
But welcome to America where everybody sues each other for everything.I'm getting fuckin sued by my friends landlords insurance company ...yeah try to wrap your head around that one.
As a British person jay-walking isn't a concept I properly understand. Is it just "crossing the road at a point that isn't a cross-walk" or is it "wandering out into traffic without due care"?
Better not plan any trips to NYC...ever...city is just full of jaywalking "losers".
I mean really!! Losers!!! Just a tad strong huh...you've never fucking jaywalked...I mean LOL here....LOL!
I would take it to court. What you did was perfectly normal and safe, and furthermore the cop probably couldn't prove you did it anyway. I doubt he'd even show up.
Take the man down a peg or two.
Take the man down a peg or two.
So do Americans... those of us who can spell.
This is the first time I've ever even heard an anecdote about about it being enforced in my entire life.
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It's usually (but not exclusively) spelled that way here (in the US), too.
In downtown Chicago, pedestrians often walk against the light in groups if the light takes very long to change - even when there is traffic.
It's walking across the street in a non-designated area (i.e. not in the crosswalk) without the right-of-way (i.e. you have an "ok to walk" signal.")
Oddly and contradictory enough we also give pedestrians the right-of-way in the street, meaning if a jay-walker is hit by a car the driver of the car is more at fault than the jay-walker.
It's really a BS "crime" that's likely only ticketed to meet quotas or to increase revenue near the end of the month.
If the OP walked across the street, crosswalk or not; signal or not, and there was no trafic posing a danger to him he shouldn't of been given anything more than a warning. The cop was just an ass.
What he said, and if you have any cop buddies, or know someone who does, find out this guy's days off, and try to have the court date for then.
In all fairness, there are people who good physical condition who I've seen take their fucking time crossing four lanes of traffic -- just because they don't give a shit, making people wait while the light is green. Those are the bastards that need the jaywalking ticket.
I should point out that my technical offense was crossing against the traffic signal (meaning it said stop and I walked because there were literally no cars to be seen). Maybe that's not technically jaywalking, but it's still stupid.
It is beyond stupid. Just a way for the local government to pick your pocket. You caused no harm whatsoever. Its nothing but extortion.
We have similar laws here, and I always thought that of course it's Just my country that's so stupid. It's probably not as strict as the US version, and the fines are much lower. Also, it's usually not enforced at all, at least where I live and everyone crosses the street whenever they please, against traffic lights, too.
I wouldn't do that if cops were nearby, though.
(Although they're usually so understaffed that they probably wouldn't care.)
I wouldn't do that if cops were nearby, though.
(Although they're usually so understaffed that they probably wouldn't care.)
Y'all should try Montreal on for size. People just keep on walking there, regardless of what the signal says or what traffic is like.
The funny thing is, though, as much as Montreal drivers suck, they really seem to respect pedestrians... they're very often courteous and give up the right-of-way.
As for those of you that "hate" jaywalkers, that's all very easy to say while you're in a car that zips along at 60 or 70 km\h. For those of us on foot, it takes much longer to get to point to point, and sometimes walking up to a controlled intersection can add 10 or 15 minutes to our trip. Yeah, people who cross busy streets in front of traffic are often idiots, but looking out for cars and crossing when safe? That should not be any kind of crime.
They sure are! In high school we always saw cops handing out lots of tickets around the 15th and 30th of every month. Gotta meet their quota!
They still do this?!?!?
who gives tickets for JAYWALKING anymore?!?
who gives tickets for JAYWALKING anymore?!?
If they decided to start enforcing jaywalking laws in Boston, they'd have to double the Police Force. 
My city got screwed out of some kind of land deal 10 years ago that they're still paying the debt for. With most cases of "quota to fill" or "bills to pay" people are being sarcastic. I mean them with all seriousness. The town my college is in has a quota to fill so they can pay their bills and they use college students to pay for it.
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