Jaywalk at Your Own Risk in NYC

If we were to survey 100 people in New York City, 90 of them would probably say they jaywalk all the time. It would be interesting to ask those 100 people if they thought that jaywalking was illegal, and an offense that could be ticketed.

Well, rest assured because now it can’t be. But this is a new development. Last month NYC passed a bill at the City Council level enabling pedestrians to cross the street wherever they want to do so; they should know, however, that they do not have the right of way when crossing without a crosswalk or green light and should use a great deal of caution.

The bill was not signed by, or vetoed by, Mayor Eric Adams and was then able to pass a 30-day mark without action. This allowed it to enter NYC law. The bill also has a provision for creating more public education campaigns about the rights and responsibilities that pedestrians have as they cross the city.

The jaywalking law was actually on the books for more than 50 years, starting in 1958.