Is Jaywalking Illegal in Nebraska? Crossing Rules and Fines (2026)

Nebraska law does not use the word jaywalking. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,154, a pedestrian who crosses outside a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, may not cross between adjacent intersections with operating traffic signals except in a marked crosswalk, and may not cross an intersection diagonally unless traffic control devices authorize it. Cities and the Department of Transportation may also post devices barring crossing outside a crosswalk in a business district or on a designated highway. A violation is a traffic infraction (60-682), and because the pedestrian sections set no penalty of their own, the general fine applies: not more than $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $300 for a third or later within a year (60-689). To compare other states, see our guide to jaywalking laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Nebraska state law: the pedestrian sections of the Nebraska Rules of the Road (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,152 to 60-6,158), the signal sections 60-6,123 and 60-6,124, the definitions of "crosswalk" (60-616) and "business district" (60-613), local authority powers in 60-680, the infraction, penalty and citation sections 60-682, 60-689 and 60-684, the statewide Waiver/Fine Schedule, the freeway rule in 60-6,144, the driver duties in 60-6,109, 60-6,149, 60-6,378.02 and 20-128, and the driver point lines in 60-4,182. It does not cover the text of any city or county ordinance, how court costs are calculated, local fine schedules, injury claims after a crash, or the law of other states.

Is jaywalking illegal in Nebraska?

It depends on where and how you cross. Most of Nebraska's crossing rules are a duty to yield: crossing away from a crosswalk is allowed, but vehicles go first. A few are flat rules that apply even when no car is coming, such as crossing mid-block between two signalized intersections, crossing an intersection diagonally without a signal that permits it, or crossing where posted devices require a crosswalk.

Crossing outside a crosswalk

The basic rule is Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,154(1):

"(1) Every pedestrian who crosses a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk, or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway."

This is a duty to yield, not a ban. A pedestrian who crosses mid-block, waits for a gap, and lets traffic pass complies with subsection (1), subject to the signalized-block, diagonal and posted-device rules below. The violation is failing to yield. A pedestrian who crosses where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided also "shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway" (60-6,154(2)), and where a path designated for bicycles and pedestrians crosses a highway, a pedestrian in the crossing in accordance with the traffic control device "shall have the right-of-way within the crossing with respect to vehicles and bicycles" (60-6,154(4)).

Freeways are different. Under 60-6,144, use of a freeway and entry onto it by "Pedestrians except in areas specifically designated for that purpose" and by "Hitchhikers or walkers" is "prohibited at all times except by permit from the Department of Transportation or from the local authority in the case of freeways not under the jurisdiction of the department." A disabled person operating a wheelchair on a sidewalk or across a roadway or shoulder in a crosswalk "shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances" (60-6,152.01).

An unmarked crosswalk at an intersection counts the same as a painted one. Nebraska defines "crosswalk" in 60-616:

"Crosswalk shall mean: (1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of such roadway measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edge of the roadway; or (2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly designated by competent authority and marked for pedestrian crossing by lines, signs, or other devices."

The first part of the definition is drawn from the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the roadway; its text contains no separate clause for an intersection without sidewalks. The second part reaches marked crossings away from intersections too ("at an intersection or elsewhere"). Once in a crosswalk, 60-6,155 adds: "Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks."

Mid-block between signals, and diagonal crossing

Two subsections of 60-6,154 work as flat rules rather than yield rules:

"(3) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk."

"(5) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by traffic control devices, and when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing movements."

Subsection (3) applies only on a stretch of road between two adjacent intersections where signals are operating. On that stretch, yielding is not enough: the crossing must be in a marked crosswalk. Elsewhere, subsection (1)'s yield rule governs.

A separate rule applies everywhere, including in crosswalks. Section 60-6,153(2) provides: "No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop."

City and state crossing restrictions

State law lets local authorities and the state go further, but only by posting devices. Section 60-6,154(6) provides:

"(6) Local authorities and the Department of Transportation, by erecting appropriate official traffic control devices, may, within their respective jurisdictions, prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highway except in a crosswalk."

"Business district" has a statutory meaning in 60-613: "the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, hotels, banks, office buildings, railroad stations, or public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet of frontage on one side or three hundred feet collectively on both sides of a highway."

Unmarked crosswalks can also be restricted. Under 60-6,153(5), the Department of Transportation and local authorities "may, after an engineering and traffic investigation, designate unmarked crosswalk locations where pedestrian crossing is prohibited or where pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Such restrictions shall be effective only when traffic control devices indicating such restrictions are in place." Section 60-680(1)(s) lists among local powers the power to "Restrict pedestrian crossings at unmarked crosswalks as authorized in the rules."

So a mid-block crossing that is lawful under 60-6,154(1) on one street can be barred on another where signs or other devices are posted. Watch for posted signs before crossing outside a crosswalk downtown or on a busy highway.

Walk signals and traffic lights

Section 60-6,152 ties pedestrians to signals: "(1) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any traffic control device specifically applicable to pedestrians unless otherwise directed by a peace officer. (2) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic and pedestrian-control signals as provided in the Nebraska Rules of the Road."

Where WALK and DONT WALK signals are installed, 60-6,124 controls:

"(1) Pedestrians facing a steady WALK indication or a symbol of a walking person may proceed across the roadway in the direction of such signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and (2) No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of a DONT WALK indication or a symbol of an upraised hand, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his or her crossing on the WALK or walking person indication shall immediately proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the flashing DONT WALK or flashing upraised hand indication is showing."

Where there is no pedestrian signal, the ordinary traffic light in 60-6,123 governs pedestrians:

• On green: "Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, pedestrians facing any green indication, except when the sole green indication is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk."
• On steady yellow: pedestrians "are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway."
• On steady red: "Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, pedestrians facing a steady red indication alone shall not enter the roadway."

Section 60-6,123 was most recently amended by Laws 2026, LB1126, effective July 18, 2026; the clauses quoted here are from the current official text.

Walking along the road

Section 60-6,156 covers walking along a road, not just crossing it:

"(1) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway or shoulder. (2) Where a sidewalk is not available and a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on the shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. (3) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian who walks along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to the edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of such roadway."

Standing in the road to flag down drivers is covered separately. Section 60-6,157(1) provides: "Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, no person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, contributions, or business from the occupant of any vehicle."

What drivers owe pedestrians

A pedestrian's duty to yield outside a crosswalk sits alongside duties that the same part of the code places on drivers. Section 60-6,153(1) provides:

"(1) Except at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, when traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk who is in the lane in which the driver is proceeding or is in the lane immediately adjacent thereto by bringing his or her vehicle to a complete stop."

The other driver duties:

• "Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle" (60-6,153(3)).
• A pedestrian facing a steady WALK signal "shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles" (60-6,124(1)).
• Under the general signal section, drivers turning on a green signal must yield to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk, and drivers turning on red where that is permitted must yield to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk (60-6,123).
• "Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care, which shall include, but not be limited to, leaving a safe distance of no less than three feet clearance, when applicable, to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give an audible signal when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or obviously confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway" (60-6,109).
• "The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway, private road, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately before driving onto a sidewalk and shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk" (60-6,149).
• The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian who is totally or partially blind and carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color or using a service animal "shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such pedestrian" (20-128).
• A "vulnerable road user" includes any pedestrian who is in a crosswalk or on the shoulder (60-676.01). Under 60-6,378.02, added by Laws 2025, LB530, a motor vehicle driver approaching or passing a vulnerable road user must, where there are at least two adjacent lanes of travel in the same direction, move into a lane at least one moving lane apart from that person; where there are not, or moving over is not reasonably possible, the driver must reduce speed, keep a safe speed and proceed with due care and caution. A violation is a traffic infraction, and a second or later violation within five years after a conviction is a Class IIIA misdemeanor (60-6,378.02(4)).
• "The driver of a vehicle shall not at any time drive through or within a safety zone" (60-6,158).

Failing to yield costs drivers license points. Nebraska's point schedule assigns "Failure to yield to a pedestrian not resulting in bodily injury to a pedestrian - 2 points" and "Failure to yield to a pedestrian resulting in bodily injury to a pedestrian - 4 points" (60-4,182(11), (12)). The schedule's catch-all line covers "All other traffic violations involving the operation of motor vehicles by the operator for which reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles are required under sections 60-497.01 and 60-497.02" (60-4,182(17)).

Jaywalking fine and penalty in Nebraska

None of the pedestrian sections, 60-6,152 through 60-6,158, states a penalty of its own. Section 60-682 sets the class: "Unless otherwise declared in the Nebraska Rules of the Road with respect to particular offenses, a violation of any provision of the rules shall constitute a traffic infraction." Section 60-689 then sets the fine:

"Any person who is found guilty of a traffic infraction in violation of the Nebraska Rules of the Road for which a penalty has not been specifically provided shall be fined: (1) Not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense; (2) Not more than two hundred dollars for a second offense within a one-year period; and (3) Not more than three hundred dollars for a third and subsequent offense within a one-year period."

These are statutory ceilings, and 60-689 provides only for a fine. The Nebraska Supreme Court's statewide Waiver/Fine Schedule (Neb. Ct. R. ch. 6, art. 14, app. 3, effective July 1, 2026) lists "pedestrian violations" under 60-6,152, 60-6,153(2), 60-6,154 and 60-6,157 at a fine of $25.00, and its header reads "All Amounts Plus $49, or Plus $95 if Traffic."

If the "waiver allowed" box on the citation is marked, the Nebraska Judicial Branch explains that you may "waive your rights, plead guilty, and pay the established fine and costs for this offense without appearing in court," or you may appear in court and contest the citation. Paying a waivable citation is a guilty plea. A citation written under a city ordinance carries whatever penalty that ordinance sets.

A person charged with a traffic infraction is issued a citation, and "Any person who refuses to sign the citation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor" (60-684).

The core crossing statute, 60-6,154, was last amended by Laws 2017, LB339, according to its source line on the Legislature's site.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car

Whether a pedestrian was crossing lawfully under 60-6,154 can come up after a collision, alongside the driver duties in 60-6,153 and 60-6,124. For how fault and insurance work after a crash, see Nebraska car accident laws. Riders of electric scooters follow a separate set of rules, covered in Nebraska e-scooter laws.

Related pages

• Jaywalking laws by state
• Nebraska car accident laws
• Nebraska e-scooter laws
• Iowa jaywalking laws
• Kansas jaywalking laws

This article provides general legal information about Nebraska law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Nebraska.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is jaywalking illegal in Nebraska?

Crossing outside a crosswalk is allowed under state law if you yield the right-of-way to all vehicles (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,154(1)). Between adjacent intersections with operating traffic signals you may cross only in a marked crosswalk (60-6,154(3)), and cities may post devices requiring crosswalk use in a business district or on a designated highway (60-6,154(6)).

What is the fine for jaywalking in Nebraska?

The pedestrian sections set no penalty of their own, so the general traffic infraction fine in Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-689 applies: not more than $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within one year, and $300 for a third or later within one year. These are maximums. The statewide Waiver/Fine Schedule lists pedestrian violations under 60-6,152, 60-6,153(2), 60-6,154 and 60-6,157 at $25.00, under a header that reads 'All Amounts Plus $49, or Plus $95 if Traffic.' Paying a waivable citation means pleading guilty.

Is jaywalking a crime or an infraction in Nebraska?

Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-682, a violation of the Nebraska Rules of the Road is a traffic infraction unless the rules declare otherwise for a particular offense, and the pedestrian sections 60-6,152 to 60-6,158 declare nothing else.

Can I cross in the middle of the block in Nebraska?

Under state law, yes, if you yield to all vehicles (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,154(1)), unless the block lies between two adjacent intersections with operating traffic signals, where you must use a marked crosswalk (60-6,154(3)). Posted devices in a business district or on a designated highway can also require a crosswalk (60-6,154(6)).

Can you cross an intersection diagonally in Nebraska?

Only when traffic control devices authorize it, and then only as those devices direct (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,154(5)).

Can I start crossing when the DONT WALK signal is showing in Nebraska?

No. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,124(2), no pedestrian may start to cross on a DONT WALK or upraised-hand signal. A pedestrian who started on WALK must immediately proceed to a sidewalk or safety island.

Which side of the road should I walk on in Nebraska?

Use the sidewalk where one is provided and practicable (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,156(1)). With no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder as far as practicable from the roadway; with neither, walk near the edge and, on a two-way roadway, only on the left side (60-6,156(2), (3)).

Do drivers have to stop for pedestrians in Nebraska?

Where traffic signals are not in place or not operating, a driver must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in the driver's lane or the adjacent lane by coming to a complete stop (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,153(1)). Drivers must also give the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a steady WALK signal (60-6,124(1)).

Do drivers get points for not yielding to a pedestrian in Nebraska?

Yes. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,182, failure to yield to a pedestrian is 2 points without bodily injury and 4 points when it results in bodily injury to the pedestrian.