Originally Posted by
spclark
Rules are different when there's a marked crosswalk, at least in the states I've been living, riding and driving in.
A pedestrian, crossing in the middle of a block can be cited for jaywalking.
I don't typically stop for anyone on a sidewalk standing behind the curb where there's a crosswalk, unless they're elderly or a child. Under those circumstances I was taught to 'cover the brake' while proceeding with caution.
If they're in the crosswalk they have the Right of Way, which confuses a heck of a lot of people when there's also a traffic light controlling the flow. Pedestrians are supposed to Cross on Green but when vehicles are making a legal turn with a green light they must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk they're going to pass over.
It isn't jaywalking unless there is a CONTROLLED intersection nearby. However, stepping into the road away from the cross means that you are taking responsibility for entering the traffic lane, like a car pulling out of a driveway.
If someone is standing on the curb looking like they want to cross at an intersection or crosswalk, you absolutely should stop. That is the law. They have right of way, and they don't have to endanger themselves by stepping off the curb to signal what they are doing. You are 100% wrong about that, and if it leads to an accident, you will be in trouble for hitting a pedestrian with the right of way.