Thrash, <S> Sir.
It is simple, stop on the pavement and it is a landing, stop on the dirt and it is a ditch. Those are the rules sir. It is more difficult to stay on the pavement, so you have a bigger reward for doing so.
As you can see by the replies, everyone seems to understand this and so far no one is supporting your opinion. Pushing your point of view which disagrees with the rules and the opinions expressed by others may invite a vitrolic reply and my alienate you from the rest of the players.