Jaywalking decriminalization bill stalled in NYC

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Many New Yorkers cross the street midblock without a second thought, but doing so could land them a ticket. Now, there's a push to change that law — yet debates over pedestrian safety and driver responsibility have stalled the bill in the City Council. The proposed legislation aims to decriminalize jaywalking, a move that Alexa Sledge, director of communications for Transportation Alternatives, says reflects what most New Yorkers already do every day. "We propose legalizing jaywalking, putting what's actually happening on the ground into our law books," said Sledge. The bill, currently on hold, would stop the NYPD from issuing jaywalking tickets, which, according to Transportation Alternatives, are disproportionately given to people of color. "Right now, it really is just an opportunity for the NYPD to ticket people," Sledge explained. "We're seeing that happen in an incredibly discriminatory way. Most of the tickets are going to Black and brown people, and it's not making anybody safer." Sledge highlighted that 90% of jaywalking tickets are issued to non-white New Yorkers. According to NYPD data, 398 jaywalking tickets were given out in 2023. As of June this year, that number had already risen to 486. The bill's progress came to a halt after lawmakers made amendments that would still hold pedestrians liable if they do not yield to cars. A source close to the mayor's office expressed concerns, stressing that road safety improves when everyone follows traffic. "All road users are safer when everyone follows traffic rules. We continue to encourage pedestrians to take advantage of safety mechanisms in place — such as daylighting, pedestrian islands, and leading pedestrian intervals — by crossing in a crosswalk with the walk signal," said a City Hall spokesperson. However, advocates say discussions are ongoing, and the bill isn't finished. "The bill isn't perfect the way it is," Sledge acknowledged. "We need to have more conversations to make it a better bill, so that it's both legalizing jaywalking and not in any way victim-blaming pedestrians for their own deaths, especially in one of the deadliest years for pedestrians in the past decade." It remains unclear when or if the bill will move forward. In states like California and Virginia, jaywalking has already been decriminalized. Advocates in New York are hopeful that similar changes will happen soon. "