People jaywalking in Fresno a bad habit forcing police to take action

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Throughout the night along Blackstone Avenue, pedestrians had no problem crossing the busy intersection illegally.

While we were on scene we caught a man running out in front of cars speeding down the road. Another man with headphones in his ears did the same thing. He did not have much to say to us about his daring venture but he did apologize for doing it.

However, Bobby Wiley who frequents the stretch of road often told us he does it because it's convenient.

"I'm fast enough. I'm not saying I'm going to beat a car, I'm just saying I'm smart enough to wait and be patient."

Sergeant Mark Hudson with the Fresno Police Department said this has become all too common across the city. While we were with him a pedestrian broke the law right in front of his patrol car-- crossing three lanes of traffic. He was let off with a warning.

In 2015, 12 pedestrians were killed in the city of Fresno. The year before that there were 17 killed. This year we are already at 13-- with two that happened on Monday.

"Of those 13 fatal's, seven of them are pedestrians being at fault, six were the driver being at fault," said Hudson.

Fresno police are conducting monthly operations to crackdown on people not following the rules of the road.

"It's a preventable type accident. If there's just some education and people being aware that they need to cross in a cross walk," said Hudson.

Police said they want people to always push the cross walk button and cross at a cross walk after looking both ways. They also want pedestrians to avoid wearing dark clothing at night if they are going to be out walking. And when it comes to technology-- they said crossing without it in your hands and ears will help you get across safely.