In the UK jaywalking is legal but there has been an increase in pedestrian deaths. The assumed cause is "zombies" - pedestrians listening to music via headphones not paying enough attention.
Same has happened to zombie cyclists.
Funny story is a friend who jay walked at 2am in a western European village. Arrested and fined. Go figure?
I think it stems down to our different attitude. We're taught in school to "stop, look, listen" but all major road campaigns focus on the driver's behaviour e.g. speeding, drink/drugs.
I think as far as cyclists go, I don't think music should affect your awareness of the road. Being able to hear cars behind you helps, but you should always be looking before you move.
I'm Canadian and the motorist behaviour you get depends on what part of Canada you live in.
Out east cars stop to let pedestrians walk.
In Quebec/Ontario they seem to speed up to signal that you'd better not get in there way.
Out West cars and people seem to have an agreement that people time their walking so that the car passes them before they get to the middle of the road, but no one slows down.
In Washington, DC, there is a lot of jaywalking, but in most neighborhoods the pedestrians are damn careful to be sure that they are have the space to cross.
Other cyclists weren't that happy to see me place headphones on. Though if you mute one sense, it can heighten another.
I see plenty of cyclists that don't observe the roads properly - even signalling and veering out without looking behind - at least I use my eyes.
I'm more concerned myself about drivers that I still see daily using their mobile phones at the wheel.
A cyclist has a higher reaction time than a driver traveling at speed - something that drivers forget. That's not to say you don't need to be alert.
It seems to be illegal in Germany at least. Individual liberty as a concept has a stronger history in the UK than on the continent.
I think relating this to the general notion of individual liberty is ridiculous but then again that's just what you'd expect a German to say, isn't it.
For example the UK is much more strict than say Ireland with car tax. If you don't tax your car in the UK, you get an automatic fine in the post. In Ireland there are no automatic fines, it depends if a Guard (police officer) sees you. You can often get away with your tax being 1 month out of date if you sweet talk the office. Individual liberty as a concept has a stronger history in Ireland than in Britain (ha!) or different countries have different laws.
(Another example: I've heard drink driving is more common in USA than UK. Different countries, different attitudes to what laws to have and enforce)
You can also sweet talk a guard into leaving you off with speeding, or at least try. There was a segment on the NewsTalk radio a few weeks back about the best excuses guards hear from motorists:
- "Ah guard, have you nothing better to be doing with your time?" At which point, the guard will stand back casually and point at the letters TRAFFIC CORPS emblazoned on the side of the Garda car.
- "Ah guard, it's a new car, I was only testing the speedometer to see if it was accurate." etc.
You couldn't imagine having this kind of banter with a cop in the US for example, as he doesn't know if the motorist is armed or whatever. UK-based Irish comedian Dara O'Briain did an excellent sketch about people in the UK being far more 'black and white' about things, whereas in Ireland we 'appreciate the shades of grey' in life!
This is relevant to people who extrapolate from "Germany bans jaywalking" to "UK has much more of a fundamental respect for individual liberty". It could be that reason, but it could also be just another cultural difference without underlying causes.
Interestingly, from my experience even with that cars will hard-brake if you so much as close in on the sidewalk/street limit, it is very weird to see cars shriek to a halt as you're getting slightly closer to the street to better see a sign on the other side, with no intention whatsoever of crossing.
There is however no punishment associated with the rule, and you are allowed to cross the street at other places if need be. Drivers are always at fault for any damage caused by their car, regardless of if the jaywalker disregarded the lights. Also, cars are required by law to let walking people have right of way if they encounter any crossing not guarded by lights.
And if you harm a pedestrian here, you are very likely screwed.
There seems to be a strong cultural affinity for following the crosswalks and crossing lights, as well. Danes really will stand on a street corner waiting for the light to change, even if it's 2am in a small town and there are no cars for a kilometer. Someone scolded me once when I crossed on a red light! Not even a cop, just a random person told me I should follow the crossing lights. On the other hand, when pedestrians do have the right of way, cars are good about stopping; for example, cars making a right turn will wait for people to cross in a crosswalk, even if they haven't stepped off the curb yet.
At least that was my experience from bigger cities.