Is Jaywalking a Crime in New Jersey?

Jaywalking may not seem like a big deal, but it is actually still illegal in the state of New Jersey. If a cop sees you crossing the street in a way deemed unlawful, you are likely to get a ticket. This may seem silly to you, but it is the law and you should follow it. If you are charged with jaywalking and truly believe that there was no good reason for you to be ticketed, a Bergen County traffic ticket attorney might be able to help you.

Why is New Jersey Strict About Jaywalking?

New Jersey has a disproportionate number of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities. As a result, it takes jaywalking seriously. If drivers do not expect a pedestrian to be crossing the street at a certain location, they may not be as prepared to react to them. So state laws and regulations are designed to keep pedestrians crossing at safe, designated areas where motorists are instructed to yield to their right of way.

The hope is that, with proper signage and the cooperation of both motorists and pedestrians, the number of pedestrian injuries and deaths will go down. So do not be surprised if you get a ticket for jaywalking on a Bergen County street. Many towns and cities are doing everything that they can to address this issue.

What Are the Punishments for Jaywalking?

Most jaywalking tickets are issued in one of these two scenarios. You can be cited if:

You do not use an official intersection to cross the street
You ignore pedestrian traffic signals

So if you cross outside of a crosswalk, that’s a ticket. If the light says “DON’T WALK” and you decide to walk anyway, you could be cited. Either of the above offenses carries a $54 fine. It is not a lot, but the state hopes that it is enough to make most people think twice before jaywalking.

What Rules Should Pedestrians Follow?

If you want to avoid a jaywalking ticket, you should follow all of the state’s rules for pedestrians. In general, New Jersey wants to make sure that pedestrians:

Cross at marked crosswalks whenever possible
Yield the right of way to vehicles if crossing at another location
Obey any traffic signals
Walk facing traffic
Stay alert and sober
Wear reflective clothing at night

Can I Fight a Jaywalking Ticket?

You can fight a jaywalking ticket if you feel like you truly do not deserve one. If you think that the cop was mistaken or that there was some other kind of error, you can go to court and fight the ticket. If you were charged with additional violations or you really want to fight this charge, a lawyer from our firm might be able to help.

Talk to Our Legal Team

If you find yourself facing a charge for any kind of traffic violation, contact the Law Office of Attorney Conway. We can go over the facts of your case and let you know what our experienced defense attorneys can do for you.