Jaywalking laws don’t protect pedestrians from getting hit by cars; are disproportionately enforced against low-income people, people of color, and unhoused individuals; and are an inefficient use of police resources.
More than a century ago, Spokane, Washington, passed an anti-jaywalking law in 1918 that made crossing the street outside a designated crosswalk a punishable offense. A decade later, most cities and towns across Washington state enacted similar laws criminalizing jaywalking.
We’re looking for Washingtonians who’ve been stopped for jaywalking and want to share their stories.
Contrary to popular belief, jaywalking laws don’t keep pedestrians safe.
Race informs who gets stopped for jaywalking.
Repealing jaywalking laws preserves public resources.
Washington state isn’t the only place disproportionately targeting Black people for jaywalking. From San Diego, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, police issue an inordinate percentage of jaywalking tickets to Black residents.
Join our efforts to repeal Washington’s jaywalking laws by endorsing the Free to Walk Washington campaign, signing up for action alerts, or sharing your jaywalking story with us!
Join us in the fight to repeal Washington’s jaywalking laws and protect pedestrians