NEW YORK – The act of jaywalking, defined as crossing the street outside designated crosswalks or against traffic signals, is now officially permitted in New York City.
This legal change follows the passage of a bill by the City Council last month, which became law over the weekend after Mayor Eric Adams took no action—neither signing nor vetoing it—within a 30-day window.
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, a Democrat from Brooklyn and the bill’s sponsor, expressed on Tuesday that the legislation aims to eliminate racial disparities in the enforcement of jaywalking laws, highlighting that over 90% of jaywalking summonses issued last year were directed towards Black and Latino individuals.
“Let’s face it, nearly every New Yorker engages in jaywalking at some point. It’s simply people trying to reach their destinations,” she stated in an email. “There should not be laws that penalize straightforward movements, particularly when they disproportionately affect communities of color.”
Under this new legislation, individuals are allowed to cross the street at any location, including outside established crosswalks, and may do so even when traffic lights indicate otherwise. Moreover, the law explicitly declares that such actions no longer constitute violations of the city’s administrative regulations.
Nonetheless, the legislation includes a caution: pedestrians who cross outside of crosswalks do not have the right of way and are obligated to yield to vehicles that do.
A spokesperson for Mayor Adams, Liz Garcia, refrained from providing specific reasons behind the mayor’s choice to allow the bill to become law without further action but emphasized that the legislation clarifies the risks associated with mid-block and light-violating crossings.
Garcia added that individuals could still face civil liability for accidents stemming from jaywalking. “All road users are safer when everyone abides by traffic regulations,” she stated. “We urge pedestrians to utilize existing safety features, such as daylighting, pedestrian islands, and leading pedestrian intervals, and to cross at crosswalks when the walk signal is given.”
Jaywalking laws have been enforced in New York City since 1958 and previously carried a fine of up to $250.
The longstanding tension between pedestrians and vehicles in New York is part of urban lore, exemplified by a famous scene from the 1969 movie “Midnight Cowboy,” where Dustin Hoffman’s character exclaims, “I’m walking here!” as he narrowly avoids being struck by a taxi in Manhattan.
The Legal Aid Society commended the approval of this legislation, deeming it a much-needed change. The organization, which provides legal assistance to individuals unable to afford counsel, pointed out that law enforcement has historically utilized jaywalking violations as a justification for stopping and interrogating residents, especially those from marginalized communities.
“With the passage of this law, we anticipate that both the Adams Administration and the City Council will work towards the elimination of outdated laws that offer no genuine public safety benefit and serve primarily to entangle individuals within the criminal justice system,” the organization noted in a statement.
Responses were not immediately provided by representatives for the police department or its largest union regarding the new legislation.
Narcisse added that discussions with officers indicate a consensus that their resources would be better allocated to other areas of policing rather than issuing tickets for jaywalking.
“No one has ever expressed joy over seeing a jaywalker caught. By removing these penalties, we enable our police force to prioritize more significant issues,” she concluded.