Freedom to Walk Act

Starting January 1, 2023, California relaxed its jaywalking laws. Under the new “Freedom to Walk Act”, pedestrians will no longer be ticketed for jaywalking unless they are crossing in a dangerous manner. This means that pedestrians will be able to cross the street outside of a crosswalk, as long as they do so safely.

The new law was passed in response to concerns that the old law was too harsh and disproportionately affected people of color. Studies have shown that black and Hispanic pedestrians are more likely to be ticketed for jaywalking than white pedestrians, even when they are crossing the street in the same way.

The new law is expected to make it easier for pedestrians to get around, especially in urban areas where there are often few crosswalks. However, it is important to note that pedestrians still have a responsibility to cross the street safely. They should always look both ways before crossing, and they should yield to oncoming traffic.

If you've been struck while jaywalking, give The Law Office of Elliott Kanter a call!