New California Law Makes Crossing the Street More Legal

Many pedestrians don't realize it's illegal to cross the street while a crosswalk is counting down until a cop is writing them a ticket. A new bill could change that in California.

1 minute read

September 21, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Pedestrian Signal

rarrarorro / Shutterstock

"The California Legislature this week passed a bill that would make it legal for pedestrians to enter the crosswalk during the flashing countdown, something many didn't know was illegal under current law," reports Meghan McCarthy Carino.

According to Carino, almost 20,000 pedestrians were ticketed around downtown L.A. between 2011 and 2015 for stepping into the crosswalk while the signal was flashing.

The law, AB 390, is still awaiting a signature by Governor Jerry Brown.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in KPCC

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