Pedestrian law: New York allows “jaywalking”

This change in the law, which came into effect at the weekend (October 26/27, 2024), ends the fines for “jaywalking”, which have been in place since 1958, crossing a street without following official traffic lanes. Before that, a fine of up to $250 (around 230 euros) could be imposed if someone entered the road away from the designated lanes.

The word “jaywalking” dates back to the early 20th century and has its roots in Midwestern slang, where “jay” was used as a derogatory term for a country bumpkin or bumpkin.

Normal behavior should not be punished

The bill is based on an initiative by city councilor Mercedes Narcisse. The Democrat from Brooklyn proposed that the rules be changed. Narcisse points out that in a city like New York, where moving quickly is a part of everyday life, it is impractical to prevent pedestrians from crossing away from lights traffic. “Let’s face it, every New Yorker crosses the street when the light is red,” Narcisse continued in a statement.

Another reason for the change in the law was the unequal application of the rules. According to research, nine out of 10 jaywalking tickets last year were issued to Black or Hispanic residents. “Laws that penalize common behavior for everyday transportation should not exist, especially when they disproportionately affect communities of color,” Narcisse continued. Furthermore, these regulations come from a time when the automobile lobby in the US had a major influence on transportation policy.

No carte blanche for pedestrians

With this new regulation, New York follows a trend in the United States: cities like Denver, Kansas City and states like California and Virginia have also decriminalized jaywalking in recent years.

However, the change does not mean that pedestrians in the Big Apple have the right of way when crossing the street away from official crosswalks. You must ensure that you yield to other road users when required. The New York City Council expects the change in the law to shift the priorities of police work as well.