NEW YORK — Jaywalking, the long-standing practice of crossing the street outside designated crosswalks or against traffic signals, is now legal in New York City. The new law took effect over the weekend after Mayor Eric Adams opted not to sign or veto the legislation passed by the City Council last month.
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The measure, sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, is seen as a step toward addressing racial disparities in enforcement, as more than 90% of jaywalking tickets issued last year were given to Black and Latino individuals.
“Let’s be real, every New Yorker jaywalks. People are simply trying to get where they need to go,” Narcisse said in an emailed statement. “Laws that penalize common behaviors for everyday movement shouldn’t exist, especially when they unfairly impact communities of color.”
Under the new law, pedestrians are now permitted to cross streets at any point, including mid-block, and can cross against traffic signals. However, the legislation also cautions that pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks must yield to other traffic with the right of way.
Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, declined to elaborate on the decision to allow the bill to become law without the mayor’s signature. She did note, however, that crossing mid-block and against traffic signals remains a risky behavior, and pedestrians may still face civil liability in the event of accidents caused by jaywalking.
“All road users are safer when everyone follows traffic rules,” Garcia said in a statement. “We continue to encourage pedestrians to use safety measures like daylighting, pedestrian islands, and leading pedestrian intervals by crossing in crosswalks with the walk signal.”
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A Nationwide Trend
The move places New York City among several other U.S. cities and states—including Denver, Kansas City, California, Nevada, and Virginia—that have decriminalized jaywalking in recent years, according to America Walks, a Seattle-based group tracking such initiatives.
“Cities that truly care about safety focus on street design, speeding, and dangerously large vehicles, not jaywalking laws,” said Mike McGinn, executive director of America Walks.
America Walks notes that jaywalking laws were initially promoted by the auto industry in the 1930s to clear streets for vehicles. The term “jaywalking” itself, dating back to the early 20th century, originates from Midwestern slang for “country bumpkin,” according to Merriam-Webster.
In New York City, jaywalking regulations have been on the books since 1958, carrying fines of up to $250. The law’s cultural significance even appeared in the iconic 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, where Dustin Hoffman’s character famously shouts, “I’m walking here!” as he narrowly avoids being hit by a cab in Manhattan.
Mixed Reactions to the New Law
The Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal representation to those unable to afford it, hailed the legislation as long overdue. The organization argued that police have used jaywalking as a pretext to stop and question residents—particularly people of color—for decades.
“With this legislation now codified, we hope that both the Adams Administration and the City Council will continue to abolish relic laws that serve no public safety purpose and only ensnare people in the criminal legal system,” the Legal Aid Society said.
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Meanwhile, the New York Police Department declined to comment on the law’s specifics, stating it would continue working with the NYC Department of Transportation to enhance traffic safety and reduce collisions.
Narcisse said that officers she has spoken with support the move, believing their time could be better spent on other priorities. “No one’s ever said, ‘I’m so glad they caught that jaywalker.’ By eliminating these penalties, we allow our police officers to focus on issues that truly matter,” she said.
