“Jaywalking” is in fact not illegal in Florida.

“Jaywalking” is when someone crosses a street midblock, or where there is no marked crosswalk.

Although it is illegal in some states, Florida does not deem “jaywalking” illegal. As long as the pedestrian crossing the street gives the car right of way, it is seen as okay. 

What isn’t okay is when pedestrians cross while facing a red light, walk where the road is paved for vehicular use, and other reasons that generally fall under common sense.

Jaywalking in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, or even Florida in general is actually a very dangerous place for pedestrians.

The roads are extremely wide with lots of lanes for cars and the sidewalks are narrow and have little to no consideration for pedestrians in Fort Lauderdale.

Speed limits are generally around 30-40 mph in any area unless it is a neighborhood. Even in roads surrounded by houses where there could be pedestrians just going for walks or riding bicycles, the speed limit can be as high as 30 mph.

The term “jaywalking” is actually a derogatory term that started when the automotive industry JUST started.

The new influx of vehicles and drivers started the slang term of “jaywalking”. The term “jay” was to refer to someone that wasn’t adapting to the new norm of automobiles. 

Crossing the Road Safely in Fort Lauderdale

When crossing the road in Fort Lauderdale, the general rules are common sense.

Pedestrians are still governed by the laws of traffic and must follow the signals. For example, crossing the street midblock while there is a heavy traffic of cars is always going to be your fault. 

Although most laws will give the pedestrian right of way, that is only when the traffic lights give the pedestrian the right to cross the street. 

For example, crossing the street while you are facing a red light is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal. If you are facing a red light, then it most definitely means that you are crossing the road while the lights to the sides of you are green. At that moment, the cars have right of way and not abiding to that can be dangerous. 

Choosing to not walk on the sidewalk and instead walking on the road is also extremely dangerous. If a pedestrian accident in Fort Lauderdale results from walking on the road instead of the sidewalk, it will be very hard to get financial compensation since it was your willingness to walk on the road that caused the accident.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is not the friendliest city for pedestrians.

Drivers tend to be incompetent and always in a rush. 

Sidewalks are narrow and can barely fit more than two people side-by-side. 

If you or a loved one was following the laws of traffic while crossing the road or walking on the sidewalk but still got seriously injured, give our team a call.

Our team is equipped with decades of experience in Fort Lauderdale personal injury cases and has also won millions for our clients in financial compensation for their injuries.

We start with a free consultation to hear your side of what happened and to see how we can help you with your personal injury case. If we determine that we can help you with your case and provide value to you, our team will immediately start working and start gathering evidence to build you a strong case. 

Remember, we don’t win until YOU win.