Farther down the road, near Centrepoint, a man darts across the busy road to catch a bus.

Jaywalking seems prevalent here, despite it being a crime that can end with offenders being sent to jail. The Straits Times spotted 160 or so people jaywalking during a 21/2-hour period yesterday.

The police are also catching more of them. In the first half of the year, 3,821 people were caught jaywalking, up from 2,070 in the same period last year.

One favourite jaywalking spot is a stretch of Orchard Road separating a construction site near Somerset MRT station from Orchard Emerald opposite.

Despite there being two sets of traffic lights in close proximity, some 15 people crossed the road between the lights during a 30-minute period.

In the space of an hour, at least 80 people jaywalked across Grange Road, between Orchard Building and Orchard Cineleisure. Most of them were teenagers or looked to be in their 20s. Some stood on the divider while cars went by.

Mr Jimmy Chan, a 22-year-old operator, said it was 'not so convenient' to walk to the traffic light.

Marketing executive Joseph Suriya, 28, also cited convenience, adding that he stayed safe by gauging the traffic.

At Bideford Road between Paragon and Masjid Al-Falah mosque, up to 50 people cut across the road in half an hour.

A woman who wanted to be known only as Madam Lim was jaywalking with her husband, who was holding on to their daughter. The housewife, 35, said her family would have to make a detour if they were to cross at the traffic light.

Those who were spotted jaywalking said they knew it was an offence, but added that they had never been caught for it.

Jaywalkers can be fined $20 on the spot. If charged and convicted in court, they may be fined up to $1,000 and face a jail term of up to three months.

A student, who wanted to be known only as Shaun, had been given a warning several years ago, but it did not deter him. The 19-year-old said: 'You have to be smart and watch out for cars.'

Retiree S.L. Ong, 59, has been fined before, but still jaywalks if traffic is light. 'Sometimes, it's a little silly to wait for the green man, especially if there are no cars on the road.'

So, can anything stop people from jaywalking? Said Mr Suriya: 'I don't think any monetary penalty will deter people. They don't think they will be caught.'

ayiying@sph.com.sg