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nautilius • yesterday at 6:34 PM • 5 replies • view on HN

There is no such thing as 'jaywalking' in Germany.


Replies

gabrielhidasy • yesterday at 7:00 PM

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__25.html "(3) Pedestrians must cross roadways quickly and by taking the shortest route perpendicular to the direction of travel, taking care to avoid vehicular traffic. If traffic density, speed, visibility, or traffic flow so requires, a roadway may only be crossed at intersections or junctions, at traffic lights within markings, at pedestrian crossing aids, or at pedestrian crossings (sign 293). When crossing the roadway at intersections or junctions, pedestrian crossings or markings at traffic lights must always be used."

Maybe there's no penalty, but a 6 lane road probably has traffic density/speed/flow enough to get to the "may only be crossed at intersections or junctions"

nukanse • today at 4:32 AM

Buenos Aires has much better solution: pedestrians carry crosswalk lines in their imagination, and they can apply them anywhere it's needed, at zero cost to the municipality.

walthamstow • yesterday at 7:12 PM

You'd never know that from the way that Germans and Austrians will stand at a red crossing signal on a completely clear road

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ishouldstayaway • yesterday at 7:18 PM

The word "jaywalking" is often used colloquially to refer to crossing the street anywhere that isn't a controlled crossing; it's not always strictly referring to the law.

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watwut • yesterday at 6:41 PM

Downvoted, but true. If there is no crosswalk, you can cross. But, it might be dangerous or impossible as cars have right of way.