Crossing Streets Outside Designated Areas
Walking across the street might seem like the most innocent activity, but it can land you in legal trouble faster than you think. The penalty for violating jaywalking laws typically includes a fine of up to $250, though enforcement varies dramatically by location. This citation will be a fine that will cost you between $20 and $160 in places like Texas, while some areas impose much steeper penalties. In 2023, over 92% of jaywalking citations went to Black and Latino New Yorkers, highlighting an unacceptable disparity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle collisions caused almost 8,000 pedestrian deaths on U.S. roads in 2021. Also, one in six car accident deaths in 2021 were pedestrian fatalities.
The legal landscape around jaywalking is shifting rapidly. Virginia was the first to do this in 2020, followed by Nevada in 2021 and California in 2023. California’s Freedom to Walk Act prevents law enforcement from issuing jaywalking tickets unless the behavior is likely to cause an accident or cause harm to the pedestrian or motorist. Starting in February, New Yorkers will no longer be breaking the law when crossing the street in between traffic, and will no longer receive a fine for jaywalking.
Playing Music Too Loudly in Your Neighborhood
That weekend house party or your teenage kid’s drum practice could be costing you serious money. According to Chapter 30 of the city’s noise ordinance, fines can range between $1,000 – $2,000 in Houston’s Midtown area. A violation of any of the regulations laid out in the noise code is against the law and can result in the offender being issued a fine. This fine can be anywhere from $150 to $400, depending on the severity in New York City. Under the guidelines of Section 415 of the California Penal Code, it is illegal for any resident to knowingly create loud and unreasonable noises as a means of disturbing another. Those convicted of violating this law face a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a maximum fine of $400.00.
The rules get surprisingly specific about what constitutes a violation. According to the NYC Noise Code, music from commercial venues must not exceed 42 decibels as measured within a nearby residence. It also must not exceed 7 decibels over the ambient sound level during quiet hours, as measured on a nearby street or public area within 15 feet from the source. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., a tenant cannot make noise exceeding 50 decibels, and any noise more than 50 decibels is considered a nuisance in cities like Glendora. On average, most areas have laws and or codes that rule, if the music/sound can be heard more than 25 to 50 feet or more away, it’s considered too loud.
Excessive Car Horn Usage
Honking your car horn in frustration during traffic jams is more than just rude—it’s often illegal. Section 24-237(a), non-emergency horn honking, has a minimum penalty of $350 and a maximum penalty of $3,000, including the default penalty in New York City. The noise code also prohibits using horns unless it’s used to warn another party of potential danger. Many drivers don’t realize that their habit of honking to express annoyance or signal their presence can result in substantial fines…