Decriminalize Jaywalking – AB 1238
2021 (VETOED)
In October of 2021 Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1238, the Freedom to Walk Act.
It‘s time to decriminalize walking
LCCRSF is sponsoring AB 1238 (Ting), the Freedom to Walk Act, to repeal California ‘jaywalking’ laws. This crucial legislation will protect vulnerable pedestrians against arbitrary, racially-biased, pretextual policing, as well as burdensome fees and fines, and unnecessary, and potentially lethal, interactions with law enforcement.
If a police officer cites you for CVC 21955, crossing the road outside a designated crosswalk, you may face a fine as high as $250. That number can get higher as additional violations are added. This jaywalking fine is higher than most parking tickets and some common traffic citations. A jaywalking ticket may also cost you $1,000+ in insurance hikes and penalties.
The Freedom to Walk Act does not change existing law that already requires pedestrians to avoid potentially hazardous situations on the roadway. It will merely legalize what people are already doing: finding the best routes to safely walk in their neighborhoods.
The Freedom to Walk Act, AB 1238, will:
- Legalize safe, commonsense street crossing, when traffic permits, whether or not a pedestrian is within a marked/unmarked crosswalk or the walk cycle of a traffic signal.
- Remove a pretext for over-policing that has disproportionately hurt Black and Latinx Californians.
- End a traffic enforcement practice that places an undue financial burden on low-income residents through fines, fees, and penalties.
- Recognize the rights of people who are walking to fair and equitable use of our public roadways.