California's Freedom to Walk Act, codified at Vehicle Code Section 21955, bars jaywalking citations unless a reasonably careful person would foresee an immediate collision danger. LAPD adopted matching guidance in 2023 so most mid-block crossings no longer support a ticket.
Assembly Bill 2147, the Freedom to Walk Act, took effect January 1, 2023, and rewrote California Vehicle Code Section 21955. Officers may now cite a pedestrian for crossing outside a marked crosswalk only when a reasonably careful person would have realized that an immediate collision was probable. Equity data showing disproportionate jaywalking stops in Black and Latino neighborhoods drove the reform. LAPD's 2023 training bulletin instructs officers to disregard mere inconvenience to drivers. Pedestrians still must yield to oncoming traffic. The base infraction fine is $25, but court assessments push the total cost above $200 when a citation is sustained.
Citations require an immediate-danger showing. Base fine is $25 but court fees raise total cost over $200. Failure to appear can trigger an FTA hold on a driver license.
Los Angeles, CA
Under LAMC §80.69(a) and California Vehicle Code §22500.1, red curbs in Los Angeles mark no-stopping zones designated by LADOT for fire access, intersection ...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles ran a photo red-light enforcement program from 2004 through July 2011, when the City Council voted to end it after a cost-benefit review. Current...
See how Los Angeles's jaywalking rules stack up against other locations.
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