California’s Jaywalking Law: Reducing Unnecessary Fines

For decades, jaywalking laws in California have been a contentious topic, often criticized for disproportionately targeting low-income communities and people of color. In recent years, the state has taken significant steps to reform these regulations, aiming to reduce unnecessary fines and promote equitable enforcement. The changes reflect a broader shift in urban policy, prioritizing pedestrian safety over punitive measures.

The Problem with Traditional Jaywalking Laws

Jaywalking—crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks or against traffic signals—has long been penalized with fines in California. While the intention behind these laws was to enhance pedestrian safety, critics argue that they often did more harm than good.

Disproportionate Enforcement

Studies have shown that jaywalking tickets were frequently issued in lower-income neighborhoods, where infrastructure like crosswalks and pedestrian signals were inadequate. This created a cycle where residents who couldn’t afford fines faced additional financial burdens, while wealthier areas with better pedestrian infrastructure saw far fewer citations.

Safety vs. Punishment

While pedestrian safety is crucial, many urban planners argue that jaywalking fines do little to prevent accidents. Instead, they suggest that better street design—such as more crosswalks, better lighting, and slower speed limits—would be more effective.

California’s New Approach: Freedom to Walk Act

In 2022, California passed the Freedom to Walk Act (AB 2147), which decriminalized jaywalking in most cases. The law prevents police from stopping pedestrians for crossing the street safely outside of a crosswalk, unless there is an immediate danger.

Key Changes Under the New Law

• No More Fines for Safe Crossing: Pedestrians can cross the street without a crosswalk if no cars are coming.
• Focus on Real Safety Risks: Officers can only intervene if a pedestrian’s actions pose a clear danger.
• Reduction in Unnecessary Stops: The law aims to reduce pretextual stops that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Why This Matters

This reform aligns with a growing movement to rethink urban mobility. Cities worldwide are shifting toward pedestrian-first policies, recognizing that walkability improves public health, reduces traffic congestion, and fosters community engagement.

The Broader Impact on Society

Beyond reducing fines, California’s jaywalking reform has sparked conversations about fairness in law enforcement and urban design.

Economic Equity

For many, a $200 jaywalking ticket could mean choosing between paying rent or covering the fine. By eliminating these penalties, the state removes a financial burden that disproportionately affected low-income residents.

Racial Justice

Data has shown that Black and Latino pedestrians were more likely to be cited for jaywalking than white pedestrians, even in similar circumstances. The new law helps address these disparities by limiting discretionary enforcement.

Encouraging Walkable Cities

Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen have long prioritized pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, leading to safer streets and lower carbon emissions. California’s reform is a step in that direction, signaling a shift away from car-centric urban planning.

What Critics Say

Not everyone supports the change. Some law enforcement groups argue that removing penalties for jaywalking could lead to more accidents. However, research from other states that have relaxed jaywalking laws (like Virginia and Nevada) shows no significant increase in pedestrian fatalities.

The Role of Infrastructure

Critics also point out that simply decriminalizing jaywalking isn’t enough—cities must invest in better sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic calming measures to truly improve safety.

Looking Ahead

California’s jaywalking reform is part of a larger trend toward fairer, smarter urban policies. As other states consider similar changes, the focus should remain on creating streets that are safe and accessible for everyone—without relying on punitive fines.

The next frontier? AI-powered traffic systems, smarter crosswalks, and more pedestrian-friendly zoning laws—because the future of cities shouldn’t be built around cars, but around people.