Comment by pclmulqdq

Jaywalking is very common in the Northeastern US, and I believe it is generally safer when done well. I have a rule that if you don't feel like you can calmly saunter across the street, you shouldn't jaywalk by running across, but many people do not follow such a rule, and just take the soonest opportunity they can find to run across the street.

Be careful, though - I once jaywalked when I was with some friends from the Midwest and they were very offended.