New York: Pedestrians are now allowed to cross the street when the light is red!

New York: Pedestrians are now allowed to cross the street when the light is red!

Big changes are coming to New York, affecting both businesses and pedestrians. New York Senator Liz Krueger announced groundbreaking legislation that will impose annual penalties on oil and gas companies totaling $3 billion. These payments are expected to flow into a climate fund between 2028 and 2050 to cover the costs of adapting to the extreme weather conditions attributed to climate change. Estimates suggest New York could need to spend more than $500 billion to clean up damage by 2050, underscoring the responsibility of major oil companies, which have known about the impact of their activities on the environment since the 1970s, Krueger said. This law could pave the way for similar measures in other US states, after Vermont has already passed its own regulation vienna.at reported.

Revolution in road transport

In addition to the economic measures, there is also a revolutionary change in New Yorkers' everyday lives: pedestrians are now legally allowed to cross the street when the light is red. Mayor Eric Adams let the deadline for a veto pass, meaning that previously banned “jaywalking” no longer carries a penalty. Previously, this could be punished with up to $300, but that didn't stop many pedestrians from ignoring traffic rules. This rule change aims to improve traffic flow and people's freedom in the vibrant metropolis, like Bild.de reported.