Jaywalking

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

It’s Now Legal to Jaywalk in New York City

For the first time since 1958, pedestrians in New York City are free to cross the street without adhering to traffic signals or marked crosswalks.

November 4, 2024 - CNN Travel

Blurred pedestrians walkingon NYC sidewalk with blurred yellow cab in background.

NYC Officials Split on Jaywalking Decriminalization

While some council members say the ‘outdated’ practice disproportionately impacts Black and Latino residents, law enforcement officials say its a necessary measure for road safety.

June 30, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Three NYPD police officers walking away from camera in Times Square, Manhattan.

Over 90 Percent of NYC Jaywalking Tickets Issued to Black and Latino Pedestrians

The city’s police force continues its history of disproportionately citing people of color for illegal street crossings.

May 29, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Red hand lit up as "don't walk" pedestrian signal.

Washington State’s Unhoused Residents Receive Close to Half of Jaywalking Tickets

Homeless people make up 0.4 percent of the state’s population but receive over 40 percent of jaywalking tickets.

March 8, 2024 - The Seattle Times

Two people on bikes in San Diego, California

California’s Year in Bike Policy

Bike and pedestrian advocates saw some big legislative and political wins in 2022.

December 16, 2022 - CalBike Report

Pedestrian stoplight with green 'walk' silhouette lit up and blurry city buildings in background

Opinion: California Jaywalking Law a Step in Right Direction

A new law doesn’t fully decriminalize jaywalking, but bars law enforcement from issuing citations to pedestrians when crossings aren’t ‘truly dangerous.’

October 11, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

A crosswalk activation button is shown in the foreground with two pedestrians show blurred while crossing the street in the background.

Jaywalking Decriminalized in California

Another day, another historic planning-related bill signed into law in the Golden State.

October 4, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Pedestrians walking in downtown Denver, Colorado surrounded by tall office towers

Jaywalking Up for Decriminalization in Denver

Like other city and state leaders, Denver’s city council will weigh a proposal to decriminalize jaywalking in an effort to reduce interactions with law enforcement and improve transportation equity.

September 13, 2022 - Westword

Pedestrian Signal

The Push To Decriminalize Jaywalking

Supporters of decriminalization argue that jaywalking laws don’t keep pedestrians safe and disproportionately burden Black and brown communities with fines.

July 19, 2022 - Stateline

Biker and driver

Jaywalking, Idaho Stop Bills Vetoed by California's Governor

Faced with the opportunity to redefine the traffic safety regime in one of the nation's most progressive states, Governor Gavin Newsom flinched.

October 11, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Castro Street Pedcrossing with Rainbow Flag Colour

California Set to Decriminalize Jaywalking

Pedestrian and civil rights advocates have long argued that jaywalking laws are overly punitive and unequally enforced.

September 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Woonerf Sign

Opinion: Put Pedestrians First—End Jaywalking Laws

To reduce pedestrian deaths, we must restore their rights as primary street users, argues a former NYC traffic commissioner.

April 8, 2021 - New York Daily News

Both Ways

Jaywalking Legalized in Virginia

Beginning in March, police will no longer be able to stop people for crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, a small component of reform intended to protect BIPOC from the historically discriminatory application of traffic laws.

December 25, 2020 - The Virginia Mercury

Jaywalking

Pedestrian Safety Experts: Decriminalize Jaywalking

Angie Schmitt and Charles T. Brown make nine arguments against the criminalization of jaywalking.

October 22, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Pedestrian Signal

Where Enforcement of Jaywalking Equals Criminalization of Homelessness

Records in Salt Lake City show that police in Salt Lake City concentrate jaywalking enforcement in the corner of the city that houses most of the city's homeless services.

December 2, 2019 - The Salt Lake City Tribune

Pedestrian Signal

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.

September 21, 2017 - KPCC

Drunk People

Drinking Behind New Mexico's High Pedestrian Fatality Rate

New Mexico had the nation's highest pedestrian fatality rate in 2014. Alcohol was a factor in over half the pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico, while nationally it's a third. According to the Albuquerque PD, drunk pedestrians are primarily to blame.

June 5, 2016 - Albuquerque Journal

Massachusetts Considers Raising Its $1 Jaywalking Fine

There are a few reasons one should exercise caution while crossing the street illegally. In Massachusetts, fear of a fine is not one of them.

February 13, 2016 - CBS Boston

Nova Scotia Cracks Down on Jaywalkers—Advocates React As Expected

The provincial government has taken draconian measures on jaywalkers in an effort to curb pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

January 23, 2016 - BuzzFeed News

Beg Button

The Case Against Jaywalking Laws, Part 2

Laws designed to keep pedestrians off streets are not merely useless, but create a variety of social harms.

July 1, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

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