Should Police Write More Jaywalking Tickets in Philadelphia?

A reporter in Philadelphia doesn't hold back the innuendo in a recent article about the city's efforts to improve pedestrian safety. The implication: pedestrians won't be safe until the police start writing jaywalking tickets.

1 minute read

May 16, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"In Philadelphia's stepped-up efforts to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries, one tactic has not been used: Issuing tickets to scofflaw pedestrians," reports Paul Nussbaum. In fact, Philadelphia police have written zero tickets for jaywalking so far this year.

As Nussbaum reports, however, "[in] Philadelphia, pedestrians routinely ignore red lights and 'don't walk' signals, and are as likely to cross in the middle of a block as at a crosswalk." Moreover, "[distracted] walking has also become a growing problem."

To be fair, Philadelphia faces a large challenge when it comes to improving the safety of its streets. Reports Nussbaum: "Pedestrians represent a much larger share of traffic fatalities in Philadelphia than in the nation as a whole: In 2012, 32 percent of people killed in traffic accidents in Philadelphia were pedestrians, compared with 14 percent nationwide."

"And last month, the city won a $525,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to 'expand pedestrian safety education and enforcement efforts.'" The city was one of three (along with New York City and Louisville) to receive such funding.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 in Philadelphia Inquirer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2, 2025 - SD News

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Bill to Update Public Transit Law Awaits Governor’s Signature

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

45 minutes ago - Daily Montanan

Adults and children planting trees during Arbor Day event in Lakewood, Colorado.

Lakewood Celebrates Arbor Day and Strengthens Urban Forestry Legacy

Lakewood celebrated Arbor Day and its 43rd year as a Tree City USA community with a youth-led tree planting event at O’Kane Park, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to urban forestry and environmental education.

1 hour ago - City of Lakewood

Cars in traffic entering Holland Tunnel in New York City.

NYC Congestion Pricing Continues to Show Positive Results

While the Trump administration attempts to revoke the program’s federal approval, congestion pricing continues to reduce traffic, speed up bus travel times, and improve air quality in Manhattan.

2 hours ago - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.