What is jaywalking?

Jaywalking refers to the act of crossing a street outside of designated crosswalks or pedestrian areas. This behavior is typically considered unsafe because it may lead to accidents or conflicts with vehicular traffic. Designated crosswalks are established to provide a safe pathway for pedestrians, indicating to both drivers and walkers where crossing is expected and safest. By crossing outside these areas, pedestrians may not only endanger themselves but also disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

The other options highlight different scenarios that may involve pedestrian behavior but do not accurately define jaywalking. Walking on the highway, for instance, is generally illegal and unsafe but does not specifically pertain to the concept of jaywalking. Crossing only at traffic lights focuses on a rule that reinforces lawful behavior at controlled intersections, while walking while texting pertains to distractions rather than the specific act of crossing streets inappropriately. Each of these options fails to capture the essence of jaywalking as it relates directly to crossing streets without using marked crosswalks.