Jackson, MS Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)

Sec. 118-478, 'Prohibited crossings,' states flatly that no pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business district, tracing to Code 1971, Sec. 27-167(b), with a state law cross-reference to MCA Sec. 63-3-1105(3) on crossing between adjacent intersections where traffic signals operate. Outside business districts, Sec. 118-477, 'Route required for crossing roadways,' requires that no pedestrian cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb, except in a crosswalk, tracing to Code 1971, Sec.

27-165. A related rule, Sec. 118-476, 'Pedestrians not to cross in such manner as to make it impossible for driver to yield,' separately bars suddenly leaving a curb or place of safety and walking or running into a vehicle's path when it is too close for the driver to yield, tracing to Code 1971, Sec. 27-163(b). All three sections sit in Article VIII, Pedestrians, of Chapter 118. Sec. 118-479 rounds out the article by requiring pedestrians to use an available sidewalk rather than walk in the street, and by requiring reflective markings after sunset for anyone using an electric personal mobility device or wheelchair in the street beyond the sidewalk-inaccessible exception, while directing officers to remain sensitive to pedestrians' physical limitations when enforcing the article.