$250 fines await pedestrians in New York City who believe the media proclamations that it’s now legal to jaywalk in the city – it’s not.
This week, national and local media began declaring that a newly-passed law makes it legal to step outside and start jaywalking. Here are just a few examples (emphasis added):
- ABC: “Jaywalking now legal in NYC under controversial new law”
- NBC: “Jaywalking is now LEGAL across New York City“
- Associated Press (AP): “No more tickets for crossing against the light now that jaywalking is legal in NYC”
- NPR: “Now New Yorkers can jaywalk legally“
- The Guardian: “Jaywalking – that time-honored practice of crossing the street outside of the crosswalk or against the traffic light – is now legal in New York City”
- Newsweek: “New York City made jaywalking legal over the weekend, allowing pedestrians to cross the street outside of crosswalks or against traffic lights.”
Unfortunate, that’s not true.
Yes, the law was passed this week because New York City Mayor Eric Adams didn’t veto or sign it within 30 days of its approval by the City Council, per city law.
However, as the text of the legislation clearly states, it does not go into effect until four months (120) after it is passed:
“This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.”
Thus, until February 2025, pedestrians can still be ticketed and fined $250 for jaywalking.
On the bright side, some media are warning their followers that they’ll have to wait until next year to start jaywalking:
- CBS: “Starting in February, New Yorkers will no longer be breaking the law when crossing the street in between traffic, and will no longer receive a fine for jaywalking.”
- The New York Times: “The law goes into effect in 120 days.”
Once it goes into effect, the new law will make it legal for people to step out in front of cars in the middle of traffic. However, it still gives drivers the legal right-of-way. Legal experts warn that this may result in a host of contentious, new legal issues being raised.