Jaywalking to Financial Security

[Spade]

I see in the Edmonton Journal there is a ticket blitz in the Alberta capital! In addition to fining ne'erdowells who speed or coast through red lights, peace officers (aka police and bylaw offices) are nabbing jaywalkers. The fine for jaywalking in this River City is $250.

Now, I don't think this is a revenue grab but it does have potential. Except for yours truly and his immediate family, I have not met a single Edmontonian who hasn't jaywalked. Why, just yesterday, a neighbour crossed the street to say "Hello" while I was raking the yard!

I think, there should be neighbourhood watchmen, deputized as peace officers, armed with a ticket book or two who would leap out from bushes to write jaywalking tickets! If every Edmontonian or area resident were fined twice, the city could raise over a half of a billion dollars. The city fathers could eliminate property taxes or fund a new downtown area for the Oilers!

Don't you think this idea should be initiated nationwide to eliminate deficits and return us to fiscal health?!

 

[VanIsle]

When we lived in the Okanagan some years ago, the City came up with the same plan. I don't recall what the fine was to be - considerably less than yours but as I said - it was years ago. They give tickets out to a couple of people who fought it in court and won. We never heard a thing about it again.
What's the worst thing they can do to you if you don't pay your $250.00 fine? Toss you in jail (gaol)for the weekend or less? Costs them more then. I'd go for the jail time.

 

[L Gilbert]

Jaywalkers are a weird bunch. I see people jaywalking only 2 or 3 meters away from a crosswalk, I see people walking against lights, etc. I am convinced that it hasn't occured to them that vehicles are big, heavier than they, take a lot more time to stop, cannot manoeuvre as well as people, etc.

 

[Toro]

It's a great idea. Allowing jaywalkers merely invites anarchy and a total breakdown of civilization. Its a slippery slope between jaywalking and genocide.

 

[bobnoorduyn]

Jaywalkers are a weird bunch. I see people jaywalking only 2 or 3 meters away from a crosswalk, I see people walking against lights, etc. I am convinced that it hasn't occured to them that vehicles are big, heavier than they, take a lot more time to stop, cannot manoeuvre as well as people, etc.

Some are a really weird bunch. But some places have more than the lion's share. I had often seen people stop six lanes of traffic crossing 97st in Edmonton and 36st in Calgary. What is odd is that for the most agressive drivers toward other motorists they will obligingly stop for jaywalkers and wave them through, many jaywalkers expect nothing less. I admit to doing myself but at least I wait for a break in traffic and don't like to make others stop for me.

 

[Spade]

In Montreal, unlike Edmonton, jaywalking is an obligation not an offence! However, if there is no traffic, what's the harm? After all, most pedestrian accidents occur at marked crosswalks!

 

[Cliffy]

In Montreal, unlike Edmonton, jaywalking is an obligation not an offence! However, if there is no traffic, what's the harm? After all, most pedestrian accidents occur at marked crosswalks!

When I lived in Montreal, crossing the road was an extreme sport. You took your life in your hands. Drivers would intentionally try to run you down. Pedestrians would wait for a break and sprint to the other side. It was always a 50/50 chance you wouldn't make it. It didn't matter where you crossed which is probably why so many jaywalk. You cross where ever there is a chance of surviving the ordeal.

 

[FUBAR]

Here in the UK there is no such thing as jaywalking, you can cross as you wish crossings or not. I think Sweden has been using completely unmarked roads for people and traffic and finds drivers are more careful and considerate without signs or road lanes.

 

[bobnoorduyn]

However, if there is no traffic, what's the harm?

That's what I'm saying, I don't expect traffic to stop for me, and don't like it when it does. But people get accustomed to certain behaviour and some think it is like that everywhere. I remember a Calgary, (or Edmonton) couple, with kids, crossed against the lights on a busy street in Saskatoon, I'm sure fully expecting traffic to stop. It didn't and the mother was fatally injured. The driver's insurance company sued the woman's estate for damages.

After all, most pedestrian accidents occur at marked crosswalks!

That is so true, people think that those flashing lights, (if there are any) and white lines are concrete barriers. They just have no concept of physics.

 

[bobnoorduyn]

Here in the UK there is no such thing as jaywalking, you can cross as you wish crossings or not.

Yes, but I also remember that traffic has the right of way, at least it did evey time I was there. But then again, might is right.

 

[karrie]

Edmonton officers generally ignore people crossing quiet narrow streets at unmarked crosswalks. The hefty fines are reserved for those stupid enough to get caught crossing four to six lanes of traffic moving at 60 km/h, 5 meters from the marked crosswalk, and against the lights. And don't tell me they don't exist, I've seen them. Causing accidents in the downtown core because you didn't want to walk to the corner to cross the street for your Starbucks fix, is worthy of the $250.

 

[Cannuck]

Here in the UK there is no such thing as jaywalking, you can cross as you wish crossings or not. I think Sweden has been using completely unmarked roads for people and traffic and finds drivers are more careful and considerate without signs or road lanes.

I think there is something to that. I know hockey games usually get out of hand as soon as you add a referee. I played three years in a league with gentlemen rules. Each coach would call infractions against his own team. It was the best hockey I've ever played.