Why do people jaywalk in traffic?

[Lysander]

I've been noticing a massive increase in this behavior where I live. People are wandering across on-ramps, freeways, streets, and in hectic downtown traffic. I can't tell you how anxiety provoking this is as a new driver.

A couple of days ago I drove to the dmv and there were six people walking through traffic (not even panhandling) within about thirty feet of each other. Are they actually hoping to die?

 

[Judge]

It would seem many people don't give a thought to the most common exposures they must deal with on a daily basis. Enabled with DMV codes that stress that a pedestrian has the right of way. Which isn't much consolation in the event someone mows you down like grass and subsequently apologizes.

Though the insurance industry is very much aware of such people, who may fit the category of a "morale hazard". Someone who is indifferent towards routinely looking after their own safety and protection of their own property.

 

[AGXStarseed]

I think some people nowadays are more interested in getting from point A to point B that they don't care how they have to do it.
Heck, if its not jaywalking, its people who are too busy listening to their music or pratting about on their mobile phones to actually pay attention.
All in all, it's a scary thought. I'd recommend you just try to follow the rules of the road as taught and maybe get a dash-cam - that way if someone runs out in front of you from in-between two cars or something you have footage that it was their fault.

 

[Judge]

I see so many pedestrians walking in and out of traffic...keenly focused on the screen of their mobile device.

Wondering how many hours, days or weeks they have before someone hits them. Equally I continue to see people using their mobile devices while driving. Strictly prohibited here, with a steep fine.

People so wrapped up in their own lives they don't even put any value on themselves. Until after the fact.

 

[Sherlock77]

I will admit to some jaywalking, when it's a quiet day downtown... But when it's busy traffic, I don't!

Don't forget Aspies are generally known to be law abiding, much more than NT's tend to be

 

[Mia]

Used to jaywalk in a city I lived in. It was safer than waiting for a light, as drivers would not wait for you to cross the street, nor would they recognize crosswalks. Or they would honk their horns if you were not crossing quickly enough.

 

[Judge]

Used to jaywalk in the city I lived in. It was safer than waiting for a light, as drivers would not wait for you to cross the street, nor would they recognize crosswalks. Or they would hit their horns if you were not crossing quickly enough.

Oh my.

Glad you survived to tell about it though.

 

[Mia]

Oh my.
Glad you survived to tell about it though.

Yeah, lots of impatient people. It's one of the reasons that particular city still does not allow right hand turns on red lights to this day. It would be far too dangerous for pedestrians. Once I was on a crosswalk, and a car actually stopped. I was shocked, then I looked at their license plate and realized they were from another city.

 

[Judge]

What's that saying? "See Disneyland...and die".

The Most Dangerous U.S. Cities for Pedestrians

 

[Tom]

To get to the other side.

 

[Iamnotarabot]

Yesterday a pedrstrian walked on the road in front of me instead of walking on the pavement...
I had to avoid him by moving on the left while other cars were driving on the opposite direction.
I honked the guy but he didnt care.
Stupid.

 

[Progster]

People are lazy. They do it because they can, and because often the nearest pedestrian crossing is a hundred metres or so down the road, but even if it's 10 metres, they will still do it, because they are intent on getting from A to B via the shortest route, and that's their mindset. Rules and regulations don't mean much where I live.

Even at pedestrain crossings where drivers are obliged to give way to pedestrians, they don't. Even when there is a green man, they don't, so it becomes a battle of wills: pedestrian v. motor vehicle.

My favoutite place for crossing the road is Bucharest. At one place in the city, there is a pedestrian crossing across a major, busy road. It looks scary to cross, it looks like the traffic will never stop, but when you do start to cross, all the traffic comes to a halt, just for you It's an amazing feeling, control and power over the traffic

 

[SusanLR]

Watching out for people who are impatient and wrapped up in looking at their mobile device,
plus armed with the "I'm the pedestrian and I have the right of way no matter what YOU must
stop for me." attitude is rampant where I live.
Parking lots are one of the worst for pedestrians and cars that don't watch or care what they are doing.
This also happens alot with people on bicycles at night. No light, reflectors and in dark clothing.

The YOU have to stop for me attitude isn't going to help them much when they pay no attention and step
out in front of you without even looking up.

 

[Mr Allen]

Because they're well, a bit silly.

 

[Mattymatt]

I've noticed this in really poor, urban areas and wondered if this simply represents an attempt at insurance fraud. They hope to get hit so they can sue the driver. Therefore, I slow down whenever I have to go through areas like these. I had my suspicions confirmed when I actually asked a friend who used to live in the 'hood.

 

[AGXStarseed]

Talking about this, I'm reminded of an incident that happened one time during one of my journey's home from work. While on the bus, which was heading down a long and normally busy road, I saw a girl on the pavement walking down the street staring at her phone. As we got closer to her, she - without even lifting her head up from her phone - turned off the pavement and walked straight out in front of us as we were speeding towards her.

Thankfully, the bus driver honked at her and she jumped back; thus avoiding been hit. However, when I looked back to see if she was okay, I saw her angrily making the "V" sign with her fingers at the bus - completely ignorant of the fact that it was her fault that she nearly got run over just because she decided looking at her mobile phone was more important than getting safely across a busy road.

Makes me think that "Think!" should create some new, hard-hitting adverts that update the Green Cross Code, as quite clearly a lot of people need a refresher.
(After all, Think! have made some memorable adverts in the past like "Julie knew her killer" and "It's 30 for a reason")

 

[guitarandtattoos]

@Lysander
Because they want to get to the other side quicker and they probably think what they have to do is more important than what others have to do.. I have jaywalked before, usually not in traffic though I remember doing it when I was younger. Americans are pretty ignorant and do things to quickly get on with their day while inconveniencing others as well. It's the same reason people will bump into you and not say sorry or quickly walk or slide in front of you.

 

[WildCat]

A good friend of my close family had a relative who unfortunately passed away after being fatally struck by freeway traffic after doing what's being mentioned here. This happened years ago, but I just want to stress that crossing a high-speed, high traffic freeway should NEVER be attempted. Obvious to some, but for those thinking about it please do not do this and find an alternate route. Even walking down the shoulder can pose a risk, but directly crossing a busy freeway should never be an option.

It still boggles me why people would rather jaywalk and play Russian Roulette than use the crosswalks and sidewalks that exist for a purpose. Do they really think they can get their way every time and pin the fault on the driver because they decided not to use common sense? Is there something I'm missing here?

 

[GrownupGirl]

It amazes me how other people think they're indestructable. I don't feel safe crossing the street even when I use the crosswalk and obey all the rules. It's because the drivers may not obey them, and *they're* the ones with the two-ton death machines that can reduce you to street pizza.

 

[Judge]

It amazes me how other people think they're indestructable.

Good point. That takes on a whole new meaning here where SUV owners are concerned. At least those who are convinced that they can drive the speed limit in the snow and ice courtesy of four-wheel drive.

As if there was a guarantee to it all. Which of course, there isn't.