New York City | TaxiSocial

NEW YORK– Your average New Yorker is no stranger to jaywalking; since 1958, it has technically been illegal. But soon, that will no longer be the case. Starting in February, New Yorkers will no longer risk fines for crossing the street mid-block or against a traffic signal, as the City Council moves to decriminalize an act most pedestrians already do.

What is Jaywalking?

Jaywalking traditionally refers to crossing the street outside designated crosswalks or against traffic signals. Despite being illegal, it’s something nearly every New Yorker has done, navigating the city’s bustling streets as they see fit. The new law will formally allow pedestrians to cross at any point, even if there’s no crosswalk or traffic light in their favor. However, there’s an important caveat: pedestrians who cross outside of crosswalks will not have the right of way, meaning they’ll need to be cautious around oncoming traffic.

The Arguments for Legalization

For some, decriminalizing jaywalking acknowledges the reality of New York’s pedestrian culture. The city is filled with fast-moving people who take the most direct route to get where they’re going. Supporters argue that the new law reflects this reality and aligns with other cities that have stopped enforcing jaywalking laws.

Additionally, advocates point out that jaywalking tickets have historically targeted certain communities disproportionately. Decriminalization aims to prevent these targeted fines and alleviate some strain on law enforcement, freeing resources for other concerns.

A Potentially Risky Move in a Congested City

Yet, others see risks in the City Council’s decision. In a metropolis like New York, where streets are congested with vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and delivery trucks, allowing jaywalking could worsen an already chaotic traffic environment. Legalizing jaywalking may send a message that crossing wherever is acceptable, potentially leading to more dangerous interactions between vehicles and pedestrians. This comes at a time when traffic-related incidents in NYC are already a concern, and city streets are notorious for their intensity.

Traffic advocates fear that with less incentive to use crosswalks and obey signals, pedestrians could be more vulnerable to accidents, and drivers will face greater challenges navigating crowded intersections. In a city that has worked hard to implement “Vision Zero” policies to reduce traffic fatalities, this move may counteract safety efforts.

No Right of Way: A Key Detail

The new law includes a notable stipulation: pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk won’t have the right of way. This detail is critical, as it could limit liability for drivers if a pedestrian is struck mid-block. However, it may be a legal nuance that’s lost on pedestrians themselves, especially in a city where fast-paced movement is second nature. Educating the public on this point will be essential if the law is to succeed without raising traffic accident statistics.

Will Legalization Lead to a Free-for-All?

In many ways, the decriminalization of jaywalking might change little in terms of behavior, as New Yorkers have long jaywalked with little repercussion. However, formalizing this freedom could give pedestrians an additional sense of security in bending the rules, leading to unpredictable behavior in an already complex and crowded traffic ecosystem.

Only time will tell if the new law will integrate seamlessly into the city’s bustling daily life or if it will introduce new challenges to keeping NYC’s roads safe and orderly. One thing is certain: New Yorkers will embrace the change, and the city’s streets are set to become an even more dynamic blend of movement and interaction.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Commissioner David Do, announced that the city has reached agreements with rideshare giants Uber and Lyft to significantly reduce access restrictions—commonly known as “lockouts”—that have led to lower earnings for the city’s for-hire drivers since mid-May.

“Uber and Lyft drivers help us get where we need to go, and now it’s our turn to help them earn a decent wage,” said Mayor Adams. “We’ll always fight for working-class New Yorkers, and this deal will put money back into the pockets of hard-working drivers, ensuring they can continue to afford living in the greatest city in the world.”

“Our goal is to provide relief to the city’s drivers as quickly as possible, without the delays and potential conflicts of a lengthy rulemaking process,” said TLC Commissioner Do. “We’ve prepared a strong rule package to deter access restrictions, and we’re ready to implement it if necessary.”

New York City was the first in the nation to guarantee minimum pay for for-hire vehicle drivers, ensuring they are compensated for time spent between trips and discouraging rideshare companies from oversaturating the market with drivers. Additionally, the Adams administration introduced the first minimum pay rules for delivery workers, resulting in a 64 percent pay increase when comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2023.

Under the new agreement, Uber will begin phasing out access restrictions for drivers using its platform, aiming to eliminate them entirely by Labor Day, provided Lyft maintains an annual company utilization rate (the time drivers spend with passengers) of at least 50 percent. This rate decreases when companies onboard too many drivers. Both companies will also halt new driver onboarding to increase utilization rates, thereby providing more work for existing drivers. Lyft will minimize lockouts while the onboarding pause is in effect.

Supporting the city’s taxi and for-hire drivers has been a key focus of Mayor Adams’ administration. Shortly after taking office, the administration launched the Medallion Relief Program Plus, providing $468 million in debt relief for over 2,000 medallion owners. In late 2022, the TLC approved the first taxi meter fare increase in 10 years to secure a pay raise for taxi drivers. Additionally, the Adams administration successfully secured pay increases for Uber and Lyft drivers in March 2023 and February 2024. In line with the Green Rides Initiative—which mandates that all rideshare vehicles be zero-emissions or wheelchair accessible by 2030—the administration also lifted the licensing pause on electric vehicle licenses, enabling nearly 10,000 drivers to own their businesses and save thousands in rental costs.

“This agreement will allow us to immediately reduce and aim to soon eliminate platform access restrictions for existing drivers,” said Josh Gold, senior director of policy and communications at Uber.

“Lyft supports an environment where New York City drivers can earn whenever and however they want while driving on the Lyft platform,” said Megan Sirjane-Samples, director of public policy at Lyft. “We never want to impose supply controls, and we’ll continue working with TLC in the best interest of drivers.”