Jaywalking

Crossing the street is an art. You would think that almost anyone could do it. Well, that’s partly true. Anyone could cross the street and get to the other side, but the question is, how long should that process take? If you could cross the street faster, wouldn’t you?

I found myself at an intersection this morning. As usual during the morning hours, the sidewalk was full of people. I stood on the sidewalk and noticed that my crossing light was red. I looked at the red light and the empty intersection with not a car in sight. So I did what, I assume, anyone would do. I started to cross the street. As others started to follow my lead, an elderly gentleman started to screech about the importance of citizens following laws and not participating in “disorderly conduct.”

OK where should I begin with this one? Well, let’s start with jaywalking. Jaywalking is against the law…why? I don’t know. But be that as it may, if I'm faced with a red light, but there are no cars, I don’t see a reason why I should stand on the sidewalk when I could cross the street to the other side. As long as I don’t put yourself or others at risk or cause any unnecessary commotion, I say I'm fine to cross. I mean, why would we all teach our kids to look both ways before they cross the street if, in the end, they are just going to follow what the little “walking man” or “hand” is doing? Stupid, I know. Now, as for the “disorderly conduct” comment…I hardly think jaywalking is a form of disorderly conduct. Seriously, when you think of disorderly conduct, does jaywalking automatically pop into your brain? Me, not really. When I think of disorderly conduct, I think more along the lines of disturbing the peace…so if you were to jaywalk while screaming at the top of your lungs, during the middle of the night, banging pots and pans, and being outrageously drunk…then yes, I would classify that as disorderly conduct. But other than that…I don’t think so.

So walk on, people. Walk on.