Newark, OH Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Core duty
- Yield to all vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk
- Signalized blocks
- Cross only in a marked crosswalk between adjacent signals
- Diagonal crossing
- Barred unless official traffic-control devices authorize
- First offense
- Minor misdemeanor
- Repeat offense
- Fourth degree, then third degree, within one year
- Citation
- Newark Code of Ordinances § 416.03
Summary
In the City of Newark, Ohio, § 416.03 requires a pedestrian crossing outside a marked or unmarked intersection crosswalk to yield to all vehicles, bars crossing between adjacent signalized intersections except in a marked crosswalk, and bars diagonal crossings unless signals authorize them. A violation is a minor misdemeanor.
(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 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. ... (f) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
Full Breakdown
Newark enacts its pedestrian crossing rules as part of the city Traffic Code, passed by the Newark City Council for streets in Licking County, Ohio. Section 416.03(a) says 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 upon the roadway. Division (b) applies the same yield duty to a pedestrian using a place where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
Division (c) is the true mid-block rule for signalized corridors: between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. Division (d) bars crossing a roadway intersection diagonally unless official traffic-control devices authorize it, and when diagonal crossing is authorized pedestrians must follow the devices for that movement. Division (e) keeps the driver's duty alive: the section does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from exercising due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway.
Related sections add detail. Section 416.04(a) tells pedestrians to move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks. Section 416.05(a) makes it unlawful for a pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable; where there is no sidewalk, division (b) directs walkers to the shoulder, and where neither exists division (c) requires walking as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, on the left side of a two-way roadway.
Violations & Fines
Under § 416.03(f) a violation is a minor misdemeanor. If the offender was convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense within one year of the offense, it becomes a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and with two or more such offenses within one year it becomes a misdemeanor of the third degree. The Newark Division of Police enforces the section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to cross mid-block in Newark, Ohio?
Can I cross an intersection diagonally?
What is the penalty for jaywalking in Newark?
Does a driver still have to watch for pedestrians who cross illegally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
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