How to Jaywalk Without Getting Hit

Anyone who is in a hurry, being chased by a murderer or just too lazy to walk to the nearest crosswalk can benefit from the fine art of jaywalking. You’ll want to know, however, that no police are around to ticket you and how to jaywalk without getting hit. With a few easy steps you can successfully jaywalk without getting hit, you have solid shoes, solid reflexes and a good sense of timing. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Quick reflexes
• Solid shoes
• Keen eye
• Discernment

1. Look both ways before crossing, even if it’s a one-way street. Most pedestrians in New York City, for example, are hit by cars going the wrong way on one-way streets.
2. If a car is coming, gauge the distance of the oncoming vehicle and the speed limit. If the speed limit is 50 miles per hour and the car is 50 feet away, you may want to wait a second. If the speed limit is 15 mph and the car is 50 feet away, go for it.
3. Keep in mind that many drivers don’t follow the speed limit, so make sure a car is not going fast enough to crunch you in its path even if it’s 50 feet away.
4. Take into account any blind spots, like hills or trees, or cars that may be turning onto the road with a left or right turn at any intersections.
5. Make sure the coast is clear in the roadway, with no debris, large potholes or anything else that may trip you up as you are bolting across.
6. Hang on tight to anything you may be carrying, which includes packages, purses or dog leashes attached to your dogs. If you happen to drop anything, don’t risk getting run over to stop to pick it up. Go back for it. This does not apply to the dogs, of course. Do anything you can to keep them safe.
7. Go for it! Your goal is to get across the street as quickly as possible before any cars, or police, come to either mow you down or give you a fine.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on the nearest traffic light in the distance to help you discern when to cross.
• Try not to trip and fall or you may end up getting run over.
• If you do get hit while jaywalking, do remember your case will probably not hold up in court.
• If you are scared or unsure, just wait. Or better yet, don’t jaywalk in the first place.
• Do not run across the street just because someone else is running across the street. You are not a lemur. Use the proper precautions on your own.
• Just because you are in a crosswalk doesn’t mean you are exempt from being hit. Use the same rules as jaywalking. But also know even though cars are supposed to stop for you, they don’t always.
• Don’t forget to watch out for bicycles, they can mow you down, too.