Ohio Revised Code 4511.48 governs pedestrian crossings outside crosswalks, requiring yielding to vehicles. Columbus enforces under City Code 2171, but Vision Zero policy and limited resources keep jaywalking citations relatively rare compared to vehicle-violation enforcement.
ORC 4511.48 directs pedestrians crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk to yield to all vehicles on the roadway and prohibits crossing diagonally at signalized intersections except where signs allow. ORC 4511.46 conversely requires drivers to yield to pedestrians within crosswalks. Columbus mirrors these rules in City Code 2171 (Pedestrian) sections. Columbus Vision Zero (adopted 2020) shifts emphasis from pedestrian enforcement toward driver-behavior enforcement and infrastructure changes (lower speed limits, leading pedestrian intervals, mid-block crossings). Citations for crossing outside a crosswalk happen but are uncommon, and equity reviews discourage racially disparate enforcement. Driver failure-to-yield is a more frequent enforcement target.
Pedestrian violations under ORC 4511.48 and Columbus CCC 2171 are minor misdemeanors with fines typically around $150 plus court costs. Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians under ORC 4511.46 face higher fines and Ohio license points when injuries result.
See how Columbus's jaywalking rules stack up against other locations.
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