KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Just when you thought there’s isn’t anything they can regulate that’s any crazier, the California legislature passed the “Freedom To Walk Act.” (AB2147). This one slipped by us, because after Governor Newsom signed it, the law took effect on January 1, 2023.
Since its passage, the number of jaywalking deaths in California has reached its highest amount in twenty years. Go figure.
Essentially the legislature determined that it wasn’t “equitable” to insist people are fined for jaywalking anywhere in our state. They decided if you were a person of color, you were more likely to be fined for jaywalking. They didn’t take into account the many other factors and variables that could go into this equation.
I suppose that since law enforcement arrests more individuals of color in California per capita for violent crimes, the same logic should apply. Why arrest anyone? It’s not equitable.
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is destroying our institutions. Imagine if the Los Angeles Lakers were forced to place a transgender little person into their starting rotation in the name of diversity. Or Bradley Cooper placed in the starring role about a movie on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Those would be almost as foolish as permitting us to jaywalk across the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica.
Consider the legal ramifications. Pedestrians always have the right of way. But hit-and-run lawyers can now start a new industry for liability with legalized jaywalking.
KHTS has hosted an annual trip to Sacramento every year for the past two decades. Each year the level of dysfunction hits a new peak. We now have three parties in Sacramento, the Democrats, Republicans and Progressives. It’s now the Progressives who are making policy. With a super-majority most Democrats are supporting even the most frightening legislation for fear of being cancelled by their own party. A super majority is harmful no matter which party has control. We need a balance of power for California to stop its decline.
We also need a Governor who is more moderate and not positioning himself to run for President. When Jerry Brown was Governor, as liberal as he was, he would at least meet regularly with the Republican minority to hear their concerns and have a constructive dialogue on the pros and cons of an issue. By doing so, he could alter legislation that had serious ramifications before signing a bill.
Not so with this Governor. Newsom sees no reason to hear from the other side and continues to ignore them. Thus, he sees making jaywalking legal throughout the state as a step in the right direction in the name of equity. Consider that the next time you vote for Governor, or the next time a pedestrian walks in front of your car when you have the green light.
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Pedestrians always have the right of way. But hit-and-run lawyers can now start a new industry for liability with legalized jaywalking.
Pedestrians do not always have the right away, not in open traffic lanes. If you hit someone in open traffic lanes, don’t leave, just render aid and call 911. You will 100% be in the clear even if they die…as long as you weren’t speeding, drinking…etc.
Where are the statistics Carl? A quick google search predictably led to a Fox News article from about week ago. The statistic cited in the Fox article mentioned 2022 being the 20 year high which was before the law took effect. This article is just a cheap way for Carl to whine and cry about diversity efforts while ignoring the reason the republican party is failing in California is their lack of any ideas beyond those that line the pockets of their wealthy backers. I’m not necessarily in favor of this law, but I am in favor of reducing hyperbolic rants crying about diversity from the likes of Carl and those who peddle doom and gloom like him.
The law also allows for citing those who jaywalk in traffic, so the example of Santa Monica and Wilshire is silly.
Yeah and the Democrats are doing a wonderful job in California…look around.
As a middle of the road Democrat,cross the lines for The People, Newsome is not Presidential material. I would consider Katie Porter after she is more experienced in the house. She’s for the people & crosses the line. The percentages of Americans supporting tRump know he’s done major criminal acts especially knowing it’s major Sh&t to be indicted. Look how many people have gone down for the narcissist! My thought you are no different than he is if you support him! You want tax breaks only big business get, lack values, integrity if you think America’s leader can be a criminal, the one who incited the Jan. 6 riot on The Peoples’ House, & you’d still vote for him? Educate yourself on the constitution & our history. Be informed.
I feel for any driver who kills a jaywalker
More hyperbole from KHTS. The bill was signed into law back in Oct 2022 and took effect on January 1, 2023. Fact is, when it was first introduced in 2021, Gov. Newsom vetoed the legislation citing pedestrian safety. The bill was rewritten/reworked into its current form and then signed into law. So why the concern now? Could there be a hidden agenda on your part or just business as usual as you continue to deny that systemic racism exists in our society?
Please elaborate on the skyrocketing deaths caused by Gov Newsom signing this bill. What evidence/proof can you cite that directly links this bill to skyrocketing deaths? Your editorial opinion is not fact, but it sure sounds like a familiar dog whistle to a certain segment of society who shall we say laments the passing of the “good ol’ days” By the way, you do realize that no evidence exists that jaywalking citations has reduced the number of pedestrian fatalities. So what’s your real issue with the bill? Umm…
And just so you know, CA is NOT the only state that had enacted this law. In fact, the same law exists in Nevada and Virginia both run by Republican Governors, so how does your big scary “liberal’’ style of leadership apply there? The law is also on the books in Kansas City, not exactly a bastion of “liberal” politics either. Funny how you ask for a more moderate approach from Gov Newsom, you mean like the moderate approach we see by all the RWNJ in Congress?
Conveniently you failed to mention what the bill does in its entirety, so I will. The bill will do the following:
*Decriminalize safe, common sense street crossing, when traffic permits, whether or not a pedestrian is within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
*Remove a pretext for over-policing that had disproportionally targeted Black and Latinx Californians
*Recognize the rights of pedestrians to fair and equitable use of our public roadways.
*End a traffic enforcement practice that places an undue financial burden on low-income residents through fines, fees and penalties without increasing safety.
The bill does NOT fully decriminalize jaywalking, it does prevent police from issuing tickets unless the street crossing is truly dangerous.
*Remove a pretext for over-policing that had disproportionally targeted Black and Latinx Californians”
Hmmm, could it be Alice that these people broke the previous law more often than Caucasian and Asian Californians? These decriminalizing laws are getting ridiculous…
You have no idea what it like to be black. I don’t think you will understand that statement either.
Carl, with so many issues to pick from, why this?
I figure this law was written by democrats, to allow more freedom for democrats. And the victims are very likely democrats, and/or homeless.
So, it sounds like a win-win situation.
You didn’t read Alice’s information, which was very helpful.
That is correct. I do not read mAlice’s comments. I fundamentally reject her party, mascot JackA$$, systems of beliefs, socialist liberal spend-fest, big government, extreme taxation and manners.
You’re making assumptions, but it’s not surprising.You’ll never really learn anything new or be able to adjust your biases against an entire political party.
My Quest is against needless taxation. Hands off my cash!
Then don’t waste your cash on enforcing pedestrian laws! Perfect.
No Fran. The answer is to cure Donkey Pox so one political party stops robbing everyone so they can spend spend spend.
Keep your hands off my cash.