It may come to the surprise of a multitude of Australians that a considerable ‘jaywalk’ fine of $220 even exists and can be paid, Jaywalking Australia News reported. Indeed, a startling number of Aussies freely acknowledged committing this offence, and it, unfortunately, stems from grievous ignorance more than anything else. Simply walking in the wrong place, while considered a ‘misstep’ by many, can end up costing more than some care to imagine, and the court may charge even more.
What is considered jaywalking in Australia?
Disregarding a traffic signal or crossing a road on the wrong side of the road is what is termed as ‘jaywalking’. For instance, in Australia, it is considered an offence to cross within twenty meters of traffic lights without waiting for the green pedestrian signal. It is an offence to linger on the road in a position that is considered an obstruction, especially when it poses a safety risk for an extended period of time. Although this may be a common practice in the United Kingdom and other countries, Australia has a zero-tolerance rule for this as it poses a serious hazard for road safety.
Fines Across States for Jaywalking
Penalties for crossing a street or road at other than a designated point also vary from one Australian state to another. In New South Wales, this offence attracts a fine of $220 on the spot. If the case escalates to a court, the maximum penalty blows out to a maximum of 2,200. Victoria imposes a $102 fine for this offense, while Queensland and Western Australia impose $50 fines. The following table shows the fines state by state:
| State | On-the-spot Fine | Maximum Court Fine |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $220 | $2,200 |
| Victoria | $102 | Varies |
| Queensland | $57 | Varies |
| Western Australia | $50 | Varies |
Why Are Aussies Overlooking This Offence?
‘This was the first case of $220 fine that I had come across,’ a user on Yahoo News commented when ‘Political correctness. Is it the state or the people that have gone insane?’ was a hot topic. The tendency that people have of crossing the street or road at other than a designated point is often subconscious, forming a part of their habitual way of doing things. This utter ignorance is the reason for a practice even when the practice is counter to the law.
Enforcement and Road Safety Impact
Approval from the police in four major jurisdictions has affirmed that they do enforce fines for crossing streets at undesignated points with the aim of enhancing safety for pedestrians and limb of the body that is the least protected in the case of pedestrian-vehicle collisions. To put it simply, jaywalking is a sensible, law-abiding approach to enhancing safety for both pedestrians and drivers and thereby improving the traffic situation in cities.
Public Opinion on Jaywalking Fines
Opinions differ in Australia, with some accepting jaywalking fines as essential for maintaining key road safety, while others feel the fines are over the top for what they consider a ‘minor’ transgression.
FAQs
Q1: Can jaywalking which is a petty crime go to court?
A1: Yes, cases which are contested or severe and go to court face more severe penalties.
Q2: Are fines for jaywalking the same in every part of Australia?
A2: No, the fines differ as Western Australia has a $50 fine,whileNewSouthWaleshasa220 fine.
Q3: What is the purpose of imposing fines for jaywalking in Australia?
A3: The purpose is to cut down on road accidents, which are caused by careless road crossing.
