Jumping has been legalized in New York

PHILIP MARCELO

NEW YORK (AP) — Jumping is a time-tested practice. crossing the street outside a pedestrian crossing or against a traffic light – this is now legal in New York.

Legislation passed by the City Council last month, officially became law over the weekend after Mayor Eric Adams refused to take action — either by signing it or vetoing it — after 30 days.

Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, a Brooklyn Democrat who sponsored the bill, said Tuesday the new law would end racial disparities in enforcement, noting that more than 90% of jaywalking tickets issued last year went to blacks and Latinos. .

“Let’s be honest: every New Yorker crosses the street. People are just trying to get where they need to go,” she said in an emailed statement. “Laws that penalize common behavior for everyday movement should not exist, especially when they unfairly impact communities of color.”

The new law allows pedestrians to cross the roadway anywhere, including outside a pedestrian crossing. It also allows crossing against a traffic light and specifically states that it is no longer a violation of the city’s administrative code.

But the new law also warns that pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk do not have the right of way and that they must yield the right of way to other vehicles with the right of way.

Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Adams, declined to elaborate on the mayor’s decision to allow the bill to become law without his action.

But she noted that the bill makes clear that crossing lights and middle blocks is extremely risky behavior. People may also still be subject to civil liability for jaywalking accidents, Garcia added.

“All road users are safer when everyone follows the rules of the road,” she said in a statement. “We continue to encourage pedestrians to use available safety features such as daylighting, pedestrian islands and leading pedestrian spacing when crossing a signalized crosswalk.”

Jay-jumping has been a crime in New York since 1958 and is punishable by a $250 fine.

The battles between pedestrians and motorists in New York City are well known. IN 1969 film “Midnight Cowboy”. Dustin Hoffman is known to shout, “I’m coming here!” as his character was nearly hit by a taxi while crossing the street in Manhattan.