Source: Los Angeles Magazine
Jaywalking will soon be decriminalized in California. Governor Gavin Newsom signed “The Freedom To Walk Act” (AB2147) last Friday, allowing citizens to cross streets outside of designated areas—so long as it is safe to do so—without the fear of being hit with a citation. Championed by Assemblyman Phil Ting (District 19), it was the second attempt at passage for the bill, which will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
“It should not be a criminal offense to safely cross the street. When expensive tickets and unnecessary confrontations with police impact only certain communities,” Ting said in a press release. “It’s time to reconsider how we use our law enforcement resources and whether our jaywalking laws really do protect pedestrians.”