Residents push back on $75 jaywalking fine advisory
A public advisory video posted by the government warning pedestrians about a $75 fine for failing to use designated pedestrian crossings has drawn pushback from residents in the Virgin Islands, with several social media users questioning its tone and practicality.
The video cites provisions under the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025, stating: “Schedule 1 under fines and penalties of the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025, states that a pedestrian failing to use a crosswalk is subject to a fine of $75. To avoid this fine, please utilise the line.”
The message, which encourages pedestrians to use marked crossings, was met with mixed reactions online, where commenters raised concerns about the availability and condition of pedestrian infrastructure across the territory.
Some users pointed to the limited number of clearly marked crosswalks in certain areas, while others highlighted the absence of sidewalks and pedestrian safety features. Residents also questioned how the rule would be applied in locations where crossings are not visible or maintained.
One user commented: “Additional crosswalks are required, and the existing ones need repainting and proper maintenance to ensure visibility and safety.”
“Let’s talk about the drivers who neglect to stop even though a pedestrian is already crossing the road on the crosswalk,” another posted.
The advisory is part of the government’s efforts to enforce updated traffic laws under the amended legislation. The Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025 introduced revised penalties to improve road safety and regulate both motorists and pedestrians.
Residents have made calls for improved signage, better road markings, and increased public education. Authorities have also previously urged both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution, particularly in high-traffic areas.
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Can’t push back on everything, this is how we getting left behind. These things are super common in example USA. Small steps towards an advance civilization.
What’s also common throughout the US is that cities and counties know they can get sued if they do not have properly marked pedestrian crossings, lighting etc. The government can’t even keep the bush back from blocking the stop signs, and they want to fine people for their imaginary sidewalks? This was a waste of all of our time.
And it is rarely if ever enforced , and in fact in NYC in 2025 they repealed the law no longer making it a violation that is fined or summoned. We need practical solutions.
You lost me when you implied that the US is an advanced civilisation.
This place is getting so over regulated… Give me back the old BVI.
THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS DONT HAVE MUCH COMMON SENSE IT SEEMS LIKE JUST A SET A YES MAN CLOWNS
IT’S ABOUT TIME, CAUSE THESE PEOPLE(INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS) DOES JUST STEP INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Kye- kye & NAUGHTY-LEO WON’T FIX THE POthoLES ? / WELL THE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTERS WON’T CARRY THE BLAME ( THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE POOR PENSIONERS IS THROWN IN THE GABBAGE AND LOOK HOW QUICK THEY COME UP WITH SUCH A BRILLIANT PIECE OF SH*TTY IDEA .
Well put more pedestian crossings cause i aint walking a mile to get to the other side of the road that is bad state already. Then if you do this , why not penalise taxis or motorists for stopping in the road and picking up or dropping off off persons. look at the villages there is hardly any pedestrian crossing, so your telling me i have to walk the whole village till i see a crossing sign.
Additionally, when you thinking of matters for the people why not do something worth while and make the whole island wheelchair ready. No where on the main road in town is wheelchair accessble and its disheartening.
Ah luv it.
I have no problem with the fines, just maintain your crosswalks and put them in places that makes sense. The crosswalk from Sports club to the butcher still isn’t working and guest traverse there at their own risk. Same with the one at treasure isle, they don’t work
What is the fine for pulling over on the 2 lane highway to pick up a pedestrian?
Not using indicators?
Money laundering?
Smuggling?
Put lights at pedestrian crossings then cause the flipping people don’t want to stop. Especially down by the hospital.
There isn’t the will and resources to enforce more important rules we already have. Instead of making more laws lets enforce things like dangerous passing, running red lights, not dropping you high beams when you meet traffic, not wearing helmets and crazy parking.
how do we want to implement the standards of an established city while our city doesn’t even meet the criteria to be considered an established city?
So, you are going to start fining all those cruise ship folks that wander all over the place? It will make for a nice visit for them. Or are you just looking to punish people who live here?
WHOEVER MAKING THESE LAWS NEED ONE HARD SLAP ACT LIKE YOU HAVE COMMON SENSE YOU CAN TELL PEOPLE WHERE TO WALK NOW WHEN IT DONT HAVE NO D*MM SIDEWALKS FOR PEOPLE
Is this really all the government has to worry about?
When we putting up videos on crosswalk put up the videos of
1 contractors paving more sidewalks
2 cutting of the bush that cover the sidewalks
3 implementing more crosswalks
4 no cars parked on the sidewalk or the roads because that is where we have to walk
5 lights where persons should be walking/crossing
this is utter nonsense there is no crosswalk nor is there any sidewalk down by TAG, so how do people get to the store or Crandall’s?
There are areas where people cross to go to supermarkets, other establishments that have no nearby crosswalks… is the Gov planning to create more crosswalks??
who came up with this wonderful money making plan ,thats designed to play with our minds which is only a distraction from the real issue that needs to be addressed
HOW ABOUT ON MAIN STREET BETWEEN THE CEMETERY COMING DOWN FROM JOSE HILL AND THE ADVENTIS CHURCH -THE SPANIARDS HAVE THEIR TRIPPLE BUSINESS GOING ON IN BROAD DAYLIGHT BROTHEL WHERE ( SHABAZZ ) USED TO BE / A SPORTS SHOP BOUNDARY TO THE ROAD / AND NOW WE HAVE AN EXTENSION OF THE GHETTO AND A BAR ENCLOSED WITH COCONUT BRANCHES AND THERE IS NO SIDEWALK – SOONER OR LATER – SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET RUN DOWN IN THAT AREA • ( AND I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE ) ~ WHERE IS BIG DIDDY KYE KYE / * HEY WIGGIE HOW COME YOU AIN’T HOLLERING OUT ANYTHING ON THAT , AND YOU FREQUENT THAT AREA AFTER DARK * EH ? □¿□
The problem with people not using crosswalk is the slow and sluggish pace in which many cross the road. The most guilty are able bodied persons. Alot do not even pause and look to see if traffic is coming. I have witnessed persons just stepping into the streets without checking and and also walking slowly across the road on the dual carriageway. This is not a trivial issue it is a safety hazard. Some of these people are hazardous to traffic. In addition to fines they must do stronger public awareness simultaneously on how to properly cross the road
Do cows, goats, chickens and pigs need also to use the crosswalks?
You barely have sidewalks. Make it make sense lol.
Everywhere dont have crosswalks so where are we suppose to walk? Thid is a very foolish idea…so charge the drivers who havr us standing at the crosswalks for ever …and overtskes other vehicle at crosswalks