Jaywalking in Memphis

Memphis, Tn - It’s a sight many who drive inside the City of Memphis see on a daily basis, jaywalkers.

Depending on where you are in the city you’ll see men, women and children crossing the street where they shouldn’t.

Busy intersections like Danny Thomas and Vance are perfect examples. Jaywalkers cross the street, seemingly unaware that thousands of pounds of metal are coming their way.

Jaywalker Derrick Jameson said after a narrow miss, “I saw the one car going into the turn lane. I though he was going to turn, but he kept coming straight. I should have stayed and watched for the light.”

All across town, from the Medical District to 201 Poplar, you will see more of the same.

Downtown, we saw a mother of two crossing Poplar during rush hour with her little ones in tow, and a cross walk just feet a way. Brittney Brown says it was just easier, “It’s either run and get hit by a car that’s gonna turn or you can cross in the middle and everybody will eventually stop and wait.”

Wain Gaskins, the Director of the City Engineer’s Office, says there are cross walks at nearly every intersection in the city, and that they’re there for a reason, “A lot of people don't walk the extra 20 feet or 50 to 100 feet if necessary to get to a safe location to cross. It’s well worth it because it could mean their life.”

Memphis police say if you jaywalk, you could pay a $50 penalty or even spend up to 30 days in jail.

But these deterrents seem to have little effect on most people. For now, Memphis drivers need be extra cautious, because many of the city’s bipeds are looking for the closest route from A to B.