If you plan to visit the Big Apple, be prepared for tighter rules for those pedestrians who wander across busy streets in the middle and/or against the lights. In this city, it could cost you as much as $125, plus the need to take a day off to appear in court. Or even a bloody face.

Because of a rash of recent jaywalking accidents, including fatalities, new Mayor Bill di Blazio, is now putting more pressure on his police to enforce the law. He says people ignore the rules because they know they don’t have to worry about tickets and heavy fines.

The mayor’s order was enforced heavily just recently, when an 84-year-old Asian man was stopped while crossing the street illegally. Because he didn’t speak English, he started to walk away and was beaten bloody by the angry NYC cops. Seniors crossing streets are particularly vulnerable, not only to overzealous cops, but to jaywalking accidents. It’s because of age-related hearing loss, dimming  eyesight and slower reflexes. Another factor is weather, when streets may be wet or icy. Accidents are more frequent when cars can’t stop in time when unexpected jaywalkers cross their paths.

Other dangers are differences in street traffic directions. American tourists in London have been hit by cars because they look the wrong way when crossing. The same happens to British tourists in the US. In 1931, Winston Churchill was badly injured for making that error. When jaywalking on a Manhattan street, he was struck by a New York taxi.

As heavy as the New York jaywalking fine is, in Los Angeles the ticket costs $250. Other cities throughout the world have similar avoidable financial punishments for jaywalkers.

Summary: When you stroll in a big city, look both ways before crossing, obey the law or be prepared to pay heavily, either in fines or hospital bills.