Cal. Codes » Vehicle Code / DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD / CHAPTER 5. Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties
California Codes

Cal. Vehicle Code § 21955 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(a)Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk.

(b)(1)A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, shall not stop a pedestrian for a violation of subdivision (a) unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power.

(2)This subdivision does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety.

(3)This subdivision does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within the roadway.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1967–2023 · leading case: People v. Lawler, 507 P.2d 621 (Cal. 1973).
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People v. Lawler, 507 P.2d 621 (Cal. 1973). “Code, § 21954); jay walking between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signals or police officers (Veh. Code, § 21955); or hitchhiking while standing in a roadway (Veh.”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez, 68 F.4th 429 (9th Cir. 2023). “2147), § 11(b)(1); Cal. Veh. Code § 21955 (2023); see Colleen Shalby, Jaywalking Is Decriminalized in California Under New Law, L.”
Meas v. City & Cnty. of San Francisco, 681 F. Supp. 2d 1128 (N.D. Cal. 2010). “” California Vehicle Code § 21955 provides, “Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk.”
Evans v. City of San Diego, 913 F. Supp. 2d 986 (S.D. Cal. 2012). “] California Vehicle Code Section 21955 (“jaywalking”) states that “[b]e-tween adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police-officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk.”
Gardner v. City of San Jose, 248 Cal. App. 2d 798 (Cal. Ct. App. 1967). “Rather, it is clearly distinguished from prohibited crossings, as between adjacent intersections controlled by signal devices (Veh. Code, § 21955), or against posted prohibition (Veh.”
People v. Jones, 205 Cal. App. Supp. 3d 1 (Cal. App. Dep’t Super. Ct. 1988). “” Vehicle Code section 21955—“Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the road at any place except in a crosswalk.”
People v. Blazina, 55 Cal. App. Supp. 3d 35 (Cal. App. Dep’t Super. Ct. 1976). “Defendant was charged with jaywalking (Veh. Code, § 21955). Although defendant refused to promise to appear unless he was given the citation first, he finally did sign after the officer called up a “backup” officer.”
People v. Fortson CA2/7 (Cal. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “As of January 1, 2023, Vehicle Code section 21955 no longer criminalizes jaywalking when it is not hazardous or risky, or there are no cars present; law enforcement may cite pedestrians in situations only where a reasonably careful person would realize there is immediate danger…”
Ortiz v. City of Santa Clarita CA2/7 (Cal. Ct. App. 2022). “5, subdivision (b), provides, “The fact that action was taken after an injury occurred to protect against a condition of 11 Vehicle Code section 21955 provides, “Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall…”
Susan Porter v. Kelly Martinez (9th Cir. 2023). “on evidence that people of color and low- income individuals are disproportionately cited for jaywalking violations, a selective enforcement danger that arises where officers have probable cause to make arrests but typically exercise their discretion not to do so, the California…”
People v. Carter CA1/3 (Cal. Ct. App. 2014). ““[A]n officer has the authority to conduct a reasonable search for weapons where that officer has reason to believe a suspect is armed and 2 Vehicle Code section 21955 provides that “Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police…”
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