Vermont has several everyday laws related to jaywalking, littering, and similar behaviors that people might unknowingly violate. These stem from traffic safety, public order, and environmental statutes, with penalties often treated as civil or minor criminal offenses. Enforcement varies by locality, but awareness helps avoid fines or tickets.
Jaywalking Rules
Pedestrians must yield to vehicles outside marked crosswalks and cannot suddenly leave curbs into traffic paths. Violating this under disorderly conduct provisions can lead to fines up to $500 or jail time up to 60 days for first offenses. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but jaywalkers assume higher accident liability.​
Littering Penalties
Throwing litter from vehicles or onto public property violates state environmental laws, with fines starting at $100 for small amounts and escalating to $1,000 plus cleanup costs for larger dumps. Repeat offenses may include community service or license suspension. Even small acts like discarding a cigarette butt count as littering.​
Other Common Infractions
Using handheld devices while driving near pedestrians is banned, mirroring pedestrian distraction rules for safety. Obstructing sidewalks or roads, even briefly, falls under disorderly conduct with similar penalties to jaywalking. Failing to yield space to vulnerable road users, like giving less than 4 feet when passing cyclists or walkers, incurs fines since mid-2024.
SOURCES
[1](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/019/01026)
[2](https://www.acb.org/white-cane-laws-states)[3](https://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PEDESTRIAN-AND-CROSSWALKS-50-STATE-CHART.pdf)
[4](https://www.kohnrathlaw.com/pedestrian-accidents/)
[5](https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/Pedestrian%20Safety%20and%20Vulnerable%20Road%20User%20Toolkit.pdf)
