Castanet

From Castanet NEWS article :

“Look both ways before jaywalking”
Across the road and back again, jaywalkers can be found constantly crossing in front of the Lake City Casino. However contrary to popular belief these people are not breaking the law as jaywalking isn't a ticketable offence in Kelowna…………….
………………………It's unclear why many had the belief that jaywalking was illegal, however, Fleming says it could be due to Hollywood movies or even stories from the US of people being fined for darting across the street where they shouldn't.
http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/86 ... jaywalking

“could be due to Hollywood movies or stories from the US” ???

How about most big cities,,, like Vancouver ?

.... and if the same configuration of the streets and roadway (ie location of traffic lights in the area), in the area of the Lake City Casino in Kelowna existed in Vancouver, crossing from the parking lot and going to the Casino wouldn’t be illegal there either.

Before one writes an article about “Jaywalking”, they maybe should understand what it is.

Jaywalking is crossing the street, not at a crosswalk, within one block of a traffic light. So at the location of the Lake City Casino in Kelowna, there is no traffic light within a block, crossing mid block is absolutely legal and would be so even in a city that does have a jaywalking bylaw.

my5cents wrote:Jaywalking is crossing the street, not at a crosswalk, within one block of a traffic light. So at the location of the Lake City Casino in Kelowna, there is no traffic light within a block, crossing mid block is absolutely legal and would be so even in a city that does have a jaywalking bylaw.

Usually, they draw white lines on the asphalt where you're allowed to cross.. and walk on it. Otherwise in most cities, you're illegal.

French Castanut wrote:Usually, they draw white lines on the asphalt where you're allowed to cross.. and walk on it. Otherwise in most cities, you're illegal.

Not in the cities I've been in and certainly not Vancouver. There are marked cross walks, yes, but the law, for example in Vancouver, states that it is only illegal to cross at a place other than a cross walk when you are within one block of a traffic light.

From the City of Vancouver "Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849"

"Jaywalk" means to cross a roadway, not being a lane, at any place which is not within a crosswalk and which is less than one block from an intersection at which traffic control signals are in operation.

12. Crossing at Other Than Crosswalks.
(1) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, shall give the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(2) No pedestrian shall jaywalk on City streets. For the purpose of this subsection a lane shall not be considered to be a street.

I'd say it's thinning of the heard, cross as you feel safe and if you don't feel safe.....walk to a traffic intersection with a light and signals.

On the news it looks like there's a pedestrian crossing near the casino, but everyone seems to cross in front of the casino.. can they just move the crossing in front of the casino and make it secure?

In Banff they have LED lights incrusted in the asphalt so when you press the crossing button, the light flashes on the ground... you can't really miss them.

Kelowna is missing that one part in the pedestrian section that can fine jaywalkers. Toronto has it but the fine is a total of $50.00 if you get caught. There wouldn't be any reason to enforce it any more than any other bylaw infraction unless someone gets hurt then give them the ticket. I don't see bylaw officers making a point of ensuring all bylaws are followed so having a dedicated officer would be pointless for this one bylaw.

Fancy wrote:Toronto has it but the fine is a total of $50.00 if you get caught.

Depends on the officer who issues the ticket - can go as high as $110.00.

I don't think it's so much the jaywalking that's a problem as much as the idiots that don't look for traffic.
Guess who's going to win a 2,500 Kg truck or a 60 Kg person?
Do the math.

http://fightyourtickets.ca/jaywalking-tickets/

I was going by this site because it was easy. I don't have a problem jaywalking nor jaywalkers - just take care that vehicles aren't around.

I have no problem with jaywalking as long as "they" yield to traffic. If you don't want to yield, then use a marked cross walk. There is of course the class of punk who not only jay-walks out in traffic at any time on any street, but they also slow their pace so that they can give you the big stare-down and you drive by. And worst yet, drivers who yield to jaywalkers on busy streets and cause a bunch of near rear end'rs because no one is expecting a driver to stop on Harvey to let some small mind cross the street in the middle of traffic.

Overall, I think it is good jaywalking is legal. I promotes walking which we all know is a much healthier way to get around instead of driving. Many urban planners actually encourage it.

Urban planners promote jaywalking? I doubt it.

The traffic lights in Vernon are timed such that jaywalking is promoted. eg. the lights at 30th and 32nd are always red at the same time, and this allows cars and pedestrians to cross at 31st even though there is no crosswalk. Jaywalking is often better because it doesn't unnecessarily slop traffic, however, jaywalking in such a manor that it impedes traffic is illegal, and should not be done.

Fancy wrote:Urban planners promote jaywalking? I doubt it.

Read Triumph of the City, or just about any book by Richard Florida, Jane Jacobs...

This is Kelowna - I was assuming you were speaking locally.