City lawmakers in NYC recently made a sudden decision to withdraw a bill that would have decriminalized jaywalking. This move came after an internal debate regarding the responsibility of drivers when they hit pedestrians outside of crosswalks. The bill, which had passed in the Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier, aimed to stop the NYPD from ticketing individuals for illegally crossing the street. Data from the city indicates that enforcement of jaywalking laws disproportionately affects people of color.
However, street safety advocates and public defenders withdrew their support for the legislation after a last-minute change was made. This change would provide legal protection to drivers who hit pedestrians. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams did not bring the bill to a full vote on Thursday, stating that it was still in the legislative process and that discussions were ongoing.
The amended bill now includes language that could still hold individuals accountable for jaywalking if they fail to yield to other traffic with the right of way. Additionally, it requires the city transportation department to create a street safety education campaign to advise New Yorkers to avoid cars while walking on the street.
Advocates like Elizabeth Adams from Transportation Alternatives believe that the legislation should offer more protection to pedestrians and guarantee their safety on the streets, particularly in light of recent pedestrian fatalities. They argue that the focus should be on redesigning streets to be safer and more pedestrian-friendly, rather than penalizing pedestrians.
The mayor’s office also expressed concerns about the bill, suggesting that it could lead to an increase in jaywalking. They emphasized the importance of following traffic rules for the safety of all road users. The latest version of the bill indicates that jaywalkers could potentially face civil suits if they cause a car accident.
While it remains uncertain whether lawmakers will revise the bill, advocates have been advocating for the decriminalization of jaywalking in NYC for years. Other states like California, Virginia, and Colorado have already successfully decriminalized jaywalking. The concept of jaywalking itself dates back to the early 20th century and was promoted by the automobile industry to discourage pedestrians from using street space.
According to city data, over 1,400 tickets were issued for jaywalking violations last year, with a disproportionately low percentage issued to white individuals. Councilmember Tiffany Cabán of Queens, one of the sponsors of the bill, highlighted the discriminatory enforcement of these laws and the lack of improvement in traffic safety rates.
Natalie Peeples from the Legal Aid Society emphasized the need to strengthen the legislation to eliminate pretextual stops that do not enhance public safety and only serve to involve individuals in the criminal legal system. Despite the setbacks, the push to decriminalize jaywalking in NYC continues as advocates seek to create safer streets for all pedestrians.