Jaywalking Research Paper

The Mystery of the Invisible Hand and why are pedestrians fined for jaywalking in the United States but not in the UK?

Wagner Domingos

Introduction to Microeconomics

ECN 4105

Katazyrna Kraniewska

20/11/2015

Outline

I. Part A

A. Introduction

B. Questions 1-10

II. Part B

A. Why are pedestrians fined for jaywalking in the United States but not in the UK?

B. Economic analysis of the situation with jaywalking

C. Recommendations for improving jaywalking regulations in the US from an economic perspective.

III. Conclusion

This essay will go through part A which relates to answering questions 1 to 10 in reference to The Mystery of the Invisible Hand by Marshall Jevons. Afterwards, the essay will directly answer the

According to (Norton, 2007), jaywalking is a situation where a pedestrian crosses the road where it is against the law. For instance, this can include a pedestrian crossing between intersections and starting to cross the road without waiting for the permissive indication such as the green man or the walk sign being displayed. In the United States, the country reflects the Uniform Vehicle Code which enforces drivers to give way to pedestrian at crosswalks or under certain conditions are not permitted to cross the road. In the 1930s where automobiles were on the road, this term, jaywalking came to

This can be achieved by the government building more roads. (Source: www.economics online.co.uk/market failure/road congestion) However, with increased road space, having less jaywalkers on the street and encouraging them to drive more would increase demand. This means that demand curve would shift rightwards and congestion would still be prevalent as well as opportunity costs and costs of building new roads. That is why the jaywalking fines are imposed in the US in comparison to the UK, to reduce the demand road space and congestion. (Source: www.economics online.co.uk/market failure/road congestion) Other solutions than jaywalking fines would include raising the excise duties such as fuel and car taxes, increase the costs of obtaining a driving license and finally providing bus lanes and better public transport reduce jaywalking and pedestrian