As part of a plan to reduce fatal collisions, a new Phoenix ordinance allows police officers to issue a civil traffic offense on first contact with jaywalking violations they observe.
The city is amending City Code 36-128 in order to address the uptick in pedestrian accidents over the last five years. The ordinance prohibits jaywalking and standing on medians that are not designated for pedestrian use.
“The change is that officers have the discretion upon first contact to cite the person for this ordinance, where before an initial warning and documentation had to be done,” said Sgt. Rob Scherer…