The Freedom to Walk Act, which will become law in the state next January, will repeal the state’s long-standing ban on so-called ‘jaywalking’, CBS reports.

“It should not be a criminal offence to safely cross the street,” said Phil Ting, the legislator who proposed the bill.

Police officers will still be able to issue tickets to pedestrians who cross the road when there is “an immediate danger of a collision”.

Jaywalking laws were introduced across the US in the early 20th century as the result of heavy lobbying by the nascent automotive industry.

They have come under increased scrutiny in recent years due to data showing non-white and low-income people are disproportionately fined under them.