By Sofia Williams
Managing Editor
and Mia Escobedo
Staff Writer
The Freedom to Walk Act has legalized jaywalking in California beginning Jan. 1 due to the racial inequity of jaywalking citations.
Citizens of California are only now permitted to jaywalk “within reason.” The act, signed by California Gov. Gavin Newson on Sept. 30, removes the $250 fine issued to those who cross the street outside of designated crosswalks. However, if jaywalkers place themselves in a dangerous situation, like crossing a busy street, they are subject to citations and may be issued a fine.
“It helps that we don’t have to wait in any lines, but people could die because of the new enforcement,” said sophomore Ayden Sterling.
According to the New York Times, the bill causes a great deal of disagreement among Californians. Supporters of the act state that the legalization of jaywalking will decrease the racially and economically-motivated reasons for its enforcement. However, opponents of the act state that an increase in jaywalking may endanger pedestrians, while also making Californians easier to get around.
“The old law prohibiting jaywalking had the intention of keeping people safe,” said Eric Rodas, a Costa security guard. “Jaywalking would include a person moving between vehicles, which may result in traffic threats. Because crosswalks were designed to keep pedestrians safe, I think California should re-enforce the law.”
Prior to the passage of the Freedom to Walk Act, citizens were fined up to $250 for jaywalking. While it is always encouraged to drive the speed limit on the streets to avoid collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles, officials are especially emphasizing road safety due to the passage of the act. Driving at a speed of about 25 mph gives just enough time for a driver to slow down for a jaywalker.
“Although you can’t stop people or give tickets for jaywalking, pedestrians also can’t impede traffic,” said School Resource Officer Michael Hamilton. “Just because they got rid of [fines for jaywalking], pedestrians, whether student or adult, need to car-watch before they walk across the street.”
One of the reasons for the passage of the bill is the racial disparity between those cited for jaywalking. According to the California Bicycle Association, black residents are 4.3 times more likely to be stopped for jaywalking than white residents. Additionally, low-income communities are less likely to have access to marked crosswalks or parks for safe walking, according to the New York Times. This causes jaywalking laws to disproportionately affect individuals in these areas, according to the New York Times.
“When expensive tickets and unnecessary confrontations with police impact only certain communities, it’s time to reconsider how we use our law enforcement resources and whether our jaywalking laws really do protect pedestrians,” said Assembly member Phil Ting, who introduced the bill, in a statement.
According to an analysis by the Governors Highway Association, an estimated 7,485 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in 2021, marking the highest seen in four decades. According to junior Rylee Tretiak, many Costa students are inexperienced at driving, which may pose additional risks to pedestrians in areas surrounding Costa’s campus.
“There are a lot of Costa students who cross the street after school in order to get in their car, and an increase in jaywalking would be dangerous not only for those crossing the street, but for the student drivers who might not be as experienced in driving, leading to a lack of capability for avoiding an accident,” said Tretiak.
According to Ting, the legalization of jaywalking will likely not affect the amount of pedestrian deaths that occur, nor will it particularly alter the number of individuals who jaywalk, as many broke the law before the passage of the act. According to junior Natalia Liang, even though jaywalking has been legalized, the passage of the Freedom to Walk Act will likely not affect her jaywalking habits.
“I did jaywalk occasionally [before the passage of the act], but I would generally try my best to avoid it,” said Liang. “I don’t think I’m that much more likely to jaywalk now.”
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