FYI - Jaywalking on Broughton St. could cost you $200

[ellie]

I think many visitors get "deer in the headlights" syndrome. They're so overwhelmed that they do incredibly stupid things as pedestrians.

But you're absolutely right about the fine being too high. $20 would send the same message. But I do not agree that more police were hired specifically for this task though it's certainly already paid the salaries of a couple of them.

[starhawk18]

I'm not completely opposed to the idea of ticketing jaywalkers. How many times have we had to slam on brakes because of those idiot people who think crossing the street is like "walking on water" and that everyone should stop and marvel at their amazing feat? However, $200 bucks is overly dramatic and extreme. I think $20 to $40 bucks is reasonable.

[gentlearts]

Doesn't this seem a little like blaming the victim? Last I knew, a car is supposed to give the right of way to a pedestrian. As someone else said, OK to cite a jaywalker if he's not at a crosswalk, like popping out between some parked cars, but I think in America one should still be able to decide for himself when to cross the street. It would be dumb to cite someone for crossing against the light if there wasn't a car in sight.
Anyway, my DIL is a Savannah police officer, and if a cute blond police officer gives you a ticket, please be kind, because they make her do it.

[WanderingImport]

Well, I wasn't meaning that they hired more police officers specifically for pedestrian safety, I just meant over all, ellie. Sorry that I didn't specify.

I agree with you gentlearts about blaming the victim. I believe STRONGLY that the pedestrian at a crosswalk has the right of way and a car should stop for the pedestrian. I disagree with the pedestrian crossing while there is a green light. That is clearly the pedestrian's stupidity.

These types of things are why we've got officers ticketing for this stuff now.

[Padgett2]

I suspect that a lot of the jaywalkers that dart across in the middle of the block are locals that simply want to get there the quickest and shortest way. A hefty fine would help these idiots to think more about the trouble they may cause.

I think it is interesting that this morning's paper sounds as if we are all in agreement that the present fine is too much.

Having the right-of-way doesn't mean that a person shouldn't use good judgement or that they should always expect traffic to stop for them. Human nature just doesn't work that way!

[Neophyte282]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

I suspect that a lot of the jaywalkers that dart across in the middle of the block are locals that simply want to get there the quickest and shortest way. A hefty fine would help these idiots to think more about the trouble they may cause.

I think it is interesting that this morning's paper sounds as if we are all in agreement that the present fine is too much.

Having the right-of-way doesn't mean that a person shouldn't use good judgement or that they should always expect traffic to stop for them. Human nature just doesn't work that way!

Can't agree with you more.

Besides, I can't imagine wanting to jay-walk in this city. I'm constantly worried of being run over anywhere.