Is ‘jaywalking’ illegal in Columbus? What you should know before you cross the street
Columbus may not be a big walking city, but a series of deaths involving pedestrians in 2019 spurred local lawmakers to make some changes to the “jaywalking” statutes in town.
By the way, “jaywalking” is not a legal term and doesn’t appear in the Georgia code, but it comes from a term used to describe any person on the street or in a car lacking in sidewalk etiquette. It is is not technically illegal in Columbus, however, it can earn you a ticket and a fairly hefty fine.
If you spend any time in some of the city’s walkable areas, you need to bone up on some of the ordinances that govern crosswalk behavior. Otherwise, it could get pretty expensive and possibly turn dangerous.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety offers some guidance about how motorists and pedestrians can safely coexist.
Who has the right of way?
Despite what you may have always heard, drivers don’t unilaterally have to yield to pedestrians. This is who has the right of way and when:
Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing at marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
When crossing at an intersection with traffic signals, pedestrians must obey all signals.
When there is no sign or light at an intersection, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles.
As a pedestrian, you have responsibilities too
Whether you are in a car or on the sidewalk, here are a few rules to keep in mind.
Do not cross diagonally at intersections unless there is a marked crosswalk signaling otherwise.
When there is not a sidewalk available, walk as near to the edge of the roadway as possible.
Always walk facing traffic.
Do not suddenly step off a curb or sidewalk into the path of a vehicle.
Listen for audible warnings from drivers.
Is “jaywalking” against the law?
Technically, using anything other than the crosswalk or sidewalk is not an arresting offense. However, the deaths of the pedestrians in 2019 initiated an increase in fines for this behavior.
If you violate any of the traffic laws governing the use of sidewalks or crosswalks, it can earn you a ticket costing $200.63, which is far above other municipalities in Georgia.
Despite the heat, there are more people on the roads and crosswalks in summer, and especially as areas like Uptown create outdoor events. Know how to navigate the streets so you can stay safe and help keep other safe.
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This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 9:30 AM.
