Dayton, OH Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Outside crosswalk
- Pedestrian must yield to traffic
- Between signals
- Marked crosswalk crossing only
- Governing section
- R.C.G.O. § 75.05
- State law basis
- R.C. § 4511.48
Summary
Outside a marked or unmarked intersection crosswalk, Dayton pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to traffic, and between signalized intersections they may only legally cross in a marked crosswalk. Dayton's mid-block jaywalking rule.
(A)Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, trackless trolleys, or streetcars upon the roadway.(B)Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic upon the roadway.(C)Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.(D)No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.(E)This section does not relieve the operator of a vehicle or trackless trolley from exercising due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway. (R.C. § 4511.48) Cross reference— Penalty, see § 70.99.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
Dayton R.C.G.O. § 75.05 puts the legal burden on the pedestrian outside the crosswalk: anyone crossing a roadway at a point other than a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, must yield to all approaching vehicles, trackless trolleys, or streetcars. Between two intersections that both have working traffic-control signals, the section goes further and bars crossing anywhere except in a marked crosswalk, a stricter mid-block ban than the general yield rule. A pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing carries the same yield duty once one has been built nearby.
Violations & Fines
Same Title VII penalty structure applies via § 70.99: a minor misdemeanor for a first violation, escalating to a fourth-degree misdemeanor on a second offense within a year and third-degree on later offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaywalking illegal in Dayton?
Can I cross mid-block between two signalized intersections?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dayton
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