Jaywalking in Singapore: Offence & Penalties

In March 2025, 24 pedestrians were issued summonses for crossing the road when the red light was on at pedestrian crossings. There has also been an increasing number of road traffic accidents involving jaywalkers.

Jaywalking is dangerous because it puts both the pedestrian and the driver at risk of an accident. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the offence of jaywalking in Singapore, the penalties for jaywalking, and questions of liability that may arise when jaywalkers are involved in road traffic accidents.

This article will cover:

• What is jaywalking
• What are the penalties for jaywalking?
• Who is responsible in an accident involving a motorist and a jaywalker?
• What should pedestrians do to be responsible for their personal safety?

What is Jaywalking?

Under the Road Traffic (Pedestrian Crossings) Rules, jaywalking is defined as crossing the road within 50 metres  of a pedestrian crossing without using it. It also includes instances where a pedestrian crosses a signalised crossing while the red man light is on. A pedestrian crossing can be a zebra crossing, a designated crossing at a traffic light, or a bridge.

Pedestrian crossings are indicated by this sign:

What are the Penalties for Jaywalking?

The traffic police regularly conduct enforcement operations against jaywalking at accident-prone locations in Singapore. Those caught jaywalking will be fined $50.

Jaywalkers may also face criminal charges if hurt was caused to others as a result of jaywalking (see below).

Who is Responsible in an Accident Involving a Motorist and a Jaywalker?

Generally, in an accident involving a motorist and a pedestrian, the driver will be apportioned a part of the blame even if the pedestrian was jaywalking. Drivers are held to a higher standard because they are more likely to cause more damage to a pedestrian than a pedestrian might cause to a vehicle.

In 2024, a driver was jailed for 2 months and disqualified from driving for 8 years, for hitting and killing a jaywalker who was crossing the road when the red man was on. Although the green light was on in the driver’s favour, he was charged with driving without due care or reasonable consideration for failing to notice the victim crossing the road.

Contributory negligence

However, the current law in Singapore states that if a pedestrian’s negligence has contributed to the accident, it will result in a reduction of damages awarded to the victim pedestrian. Such negligence is known as contributory negligence. The amount of the damages will be reduced based on the liability attributed to the pedestrian, which in turn depends on several key considerations such as:

• Whether the driver was speeding
• Whether the driver kept a proper lookout
• Whether the pedestrian was jaywalking
• Whether the pedestrian kept a proper lookout. This includes considerations such as:
  • Whether the road crossing was divided into two sections, which would require pedestrians to check the road for oncoming traffic again at the second half of the crossing
  • The road curvature and whether it would allow the pedestrian to anticipate oncoming traffic
  • The visibility of the road (i.e. whether it was night or day)
• Whether the pedestrian suddenly dashed across the road
• Whether the pedestrian had just stepped off the road or was in the middle of crossing the road (which would mean the driver would be more likely to notice the pedestrian and avoid him or her)

Contributory negligence even when the pedestrian has the right of way

Pedestrians must be alert whenever they are crossing the road. Even when pedestrians have the right of way, they may still be held liable in an accident if they do not take proper care to look out for oncoming traffic before crossing.

In the notable case of Asnah Bte Ab Rahman v Li Jianlin, a pedestrian using the crossing when the green man light was on was hit by a taxi. In a rare split decision by the judges in the Court of Appeal, 15% of liability was attributed to the pedestrian, which meant that the pedestrian received 15% less damages as a result of the accident. The court held that the pedestrian did not fulfil his duty of care to keep a proper lookout while crossing a signalised pedestrian crossing, even when the light was in his favour.

The court also highlighted that, according to Rule 22 of the Highway Code, pedestrians are required to wait until traffic has come to a standstill before crossing at light-controlled crossings. This duty still stays in effect no matter how long the red lights have come on for vehicular traffic, as pedestrians must always be on the lookout for errant drivers.

Pedestrians at crossings without signals (such as zebra crossings and road openings) must also wait until cars have come to a complete stop before crossing, while remaining alert and ensuring the drivers around them are aware of their presence.

Criminal liability for jaywalkers 

A jaywalker might also face criminal liability if he or she causes hurt to a motorist as a result of jaywalking.

In 2024, a man was sentenced to 3 weeks’ jail for causing hurt to a motorcyclist by performing a rash act. The man had run across a three-lane road to catch his bus despite seeing a motorcycle 2-3 metres away. The motorcyclist collided with the man’s bag, fell off his motorcycle and suffered 3 fractures.

What Should Pedestrians Do to be Responsible for Their Personal Safety?

Pedestrians who jaywalk endanger not only themselves but other road users as well. Here are some reminders on how to use the roads in Singapore safely:

• Always be alert and check your surroundings while crossing roads
• Be patient at pedestrian crossings when waiting for the green man to light up in your favour
• Always follow traffic rules and regulations, and do not jaywalk
• Stop and look left and right before crossing the road
• Do not use mobile devices while crossing the road – if you need to use your phone urgently, only do so at the side of the road
• Avoid wearing earphones that might reduce your ability to hear traffic
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to increase your visibility to drivers, especially when it is dark
• Ensure any young children stay close to you and hold your hand when crossing the road

In 2024, an Indonesian maid was charged with causing grievous hurt by performing a rash act in a road-crossing accident that killed a 4-year-old girl. On the day of the accident, the maid was crossing an unsignalised junction with the girl without holding onto the child. As a result, the girl ran ahead of the maid and into the path of an oncoming car. The maid is currently claiming trial against her charge.

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Jaywalking is illegal as it puts both the pedestrian and fellow motorists at risk of an accident. If caught by the traffic police, jaywalkers will be fined $50. If hurt was caused to others as a result of jaywalking, the jaywalker might also face criminal charges. Further, if the pedestrian is seen to have negligently played a part in a road traffic accident (such as by jaywalking), the amount of damages awarded to the victim pedestrian will be reduced.

If you are a motorist involved in an accident with a jaywalker, you might want to contact a criminal lawyer for further advice or assistance. The lawyer can answer questions on liability and represent you in court. You may also wish to read our other article for more information on the potential criminal charges and defences available to motorists.

If you are a jaywalker who has been injured in a road traffic incident, you might want to contact a personal injury lawyer for advice on whether you are able to claim damages resulting from the accident. You may also wish to read our other article on the procedure for making a personal injury claim and claim amounts.