Jaywalkers caused 10 of the 27 pedestrian accidents reported in State College last year -- most took place in the busy downtown area.

"I can't understand why a 150-pound person would want to argue with a 4,000 pound car," said John Henninger, State College Bureau of Police Services traffic specialist.

"I've had people say to me that they can't make it down College Avenue without having several near misses with pedestrians," Henninger said.

In addition to problems downtown, jaywalkers during class changes at the junior and senior high schools cause many other traffic problems, he said.

State law requires pedestrians crossing in the middle of a block to yield to all vehicles. Violators must pay a basic $5 fine, Henninger said, adding that the total expense can run up to $64 with surtaxes and court costs. The University charges $25 for a jaywalking violation, but the total bill could come to $80 after the additional costs.

" In certain areas on campus it becomes problematic, like the center of campus," said Dwight Smith, supervisor of the University Police Services.

"We've closed Pollock Road and Curtin Road because there was a lot of traffic coming from East Halls," Smith said, adding that Shortlidge Road has been left open.

Smith said the University has put up more stop signs and crosswalks to try to remedy the problem.

Both Smith and Henninger agreed that the law is usually not enforced unless an accident occurs.

"We just do not have the manpower to enforce this," Henninger said. "It is hard to crack down on 500 people crossing downtown. You can't just pick out one person."

But some students do not consider jaywalking a major problem.

"Even with such a steep fine, if they don't enforce the law it won't deter anyone from jaywalking," said Kerry Riggio (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies).

"If I didn't jaywalk it would take forever to get anywhere, " said Dwight Obal (freshman-molecular and cell biology). "I would be very angry if I got a ticket for jaywalking; I think I'd write my congressman."

Yet some students still ignore the dangers of jaywalking.

"Students will run out in front of the buses or from behind a car, but we expect that kind of problem on a college campus and plan for it," said Bruce Younkin, manager of fleet operations for the Campus Loop.

Younkin added that bus drivers experience more problems on campus than downtown.

Jaywalking also irritates motorists, Henninger said.

"I come as close to them with my car as I can. They simply don't have any respect for the drivers," said Matthew McClellan, a State College resident.

Henninger said he wished a simple solution to the problem existed.

"It seems to me that it would be easier for a person to yield the right of way to a car instead of causing an accident," Henninger said.