New York City is set to legalize jaywalking, allowing pedestrians to cross streets outside designated crosswalks. The legislation, spearheaded by City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, addresses concerns over racial disparities in law enforcement, particularly since 90% of jaywalking tickets in 2023 went to Black and Latino individuals. A recent hearing at the NYC DOT finalized the amendment in line with a City Council bill for 2024. The new rules require pedestrians to yield to traffic but remove penalties for failure to yield, promoting pedestrian safety and equity.
City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse emphasized that enforcement of jaywalking laws had disproportionately targeted Black and Latino individuals, highlighting systemic inequalities in policing practices.
The final administrative hurdle for legalizing jaywalking was cleared during a NYC Department of Transportation hearing, allowing revisions to city rules, set to take effect following a 2024 bill.
The amendment allows pedestrians to cross roadways at any point while ensuring that they must yield to vehicles with the right of way, aiming for a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
In 2023, 90% of issued jaywalking tickets were given to Black and Latino people, demonstrating a need for reform in how jaywalking laws are enforced.
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