New York: Running a red light

The background of the law is racial inequality. More than 90 percent of the fines issued last year for illegal crossings went to blacks and Latinos, said Democratic City Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, who gave her – enter the law. “Let’s face it, every New Yorker crosses the street when the light is red. People are just trying to get where they need to go,” she said on Tuesday. According to her, laws that punish everyday behavior should not exist – especially if they unfairly affect black people. By law they have Police also more time to focus on other things. “Nobody ever said, ‘I’m so glad we got hold of that cruise.'”

The Legal Aid Society announced that the law was long overdue. The nonprofit, which provides free legal representation to New Yorkers who cannot afford a lawyer, said police have used the breach as an excuse to stop, question and harass residents. -residents – especially black people – for decades.

The new law allows pedestrians to cross the road at any time, including outside a crosswalk. It also allows crossing traffic signs and clearly states that this is no longer against city administration regulations. By law, anyone who does this does not have the right of way and must yield to other traffic.

Adams spokeswoman Liz Garcia would not immediately comment on the mayor’s decision to allow the law to take effect. However, she emphasized that the bill makes it clear that crossing the street on red lights is a dangerous behaviour. People still had to be held responsible for accidents that caused this.

Other American cities and US states, such as Denver, Kansas City, Missouri, California, Nevada or Virginia decriminalized crossing streets without permission in earlier years.