AUGUSTA, Ga.- Remember how you're parents always told you to look both ways before you cross the street, here’s one reason why.

In Richmond County alone an average of 65 people are hit by cars while crossing the street, according to County statistics.

Deputies say Jaywalking is illegal, but hard to crack down on because so many people do it.

Richmond County Traffic Engineering’s Steve Cassell keeps his eye on timing and traffic lights. He says people don’t want to waste time by using the crosswalks, which is why there’s a problem.

"If they're in the middle of the block, and the place they want to get to is in the middle of the block, then it takes to much effort to walk to the end of the street and wait and walk back....when they could just dart across the street,”

"It's the path of least resistance, the shortest point of travel." Cassell said.

Cassell says important to always look for the crosswalk, especially on Gordon Highway.

NBC Augusta 26 News asked Cassell about the lack of legal crosswalks on Gordon Highway.

Cassell says he's notified the Georgia Department of Transportation, but they haven't put any on that stretch of road yet.

Cassell says it's his job to make sure even if there isn't a crosswalk, there's enough TIME between traffic lights for people to cross.

In 2009 six pedestrians were killed from traffic accidents in Richmond County and 48 others were injured, according to statistics from the Sheriff’s Office.

Some of the most common places for accidents are Gordon Highway, 15th Street, Walton Way and Washington Road.

Cassell says the pedestrian isn’t always right.

If a pedestrian is hit and they’re outside the crosswalk he/she could be facing charges, but if the pedestrian is hit inside the crosswalk it is the drivers fault.

The Georgia Law Enforcement Handbook states “a pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any traffic control device specifically applicable to him, unless otherwise directed by a police officer,” otherwise they could face a citation.

The handbook also states “no pedestrians shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.”

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