Albany, NY —
A little-known but widely broken law in New York has just been reformed, in a move that many residents are calling long overdue. State lawmakers voted to amend a regulation that countless people have unknowingly violated — a law so common that it’s been referred to as “the rule everyone breaks.”
The legislation in question pertains to jaywalking, a minor infraction that has long been treated as a low-level offense in New York. While pedestrians frequently cross streets mid-block or against signals in cities across the state — especially in fast-paced New York City — they’ve technically been risking a ticket every time they do so.
Under the updated law, jaywalking penalties will be significantly reduced, and in many cases, enforcement will be deprioritized altogether. The change is aimed at easing tensions between law enforcement and pedestrians, and at acknowledging the realities of urban mobility.
“This law has been enforced inconsistently for years, often leading to unnecessary confrontations,” said State Senator Brian Reyes, who co-sponsored the bill. “The goal here is to bring some common sense into how we treat something that nearly all New Yorkers do on a daily basis.”
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Advocates for the reform have long argued that jaywalking laws are outdated and can disproportionately affect people in lower-income and minority communities. They point to studies showing that enforcement often targets certain neighborhoods more heavily than others, despite similar behavior occurring citywide.
With the law’s revision, pedestrians will still be encouraged to cross safely, but officers are now instructed to focus on more serious safety violations. The hope is that the change will also reduce the number of minor infractions used as a pretext for more invasive policing.
New York joins a growing list of cities and states — including California and Virginia — that are rethinking how pedestrian behavior is policed in busy urban environments.
Residents, especially in New York City, have largely welcomed the change. “About time,” said Brooklyn resident Jasmine Chen. “You can’t live in this city and not jaywalk — it’s just how we move.”
The revised law takes effect immediately, though city officials say it will take a few weeks to update enforcement protocols across departments.
