New York Driving Laws You Ought To Know

Driving on roads in New York is easy. All you need to know is few driving laws. You have been following them till now. But there are some driving laws that residents of New York are not aware of. Here is a snapshot of the common driving rules of New York city. Follow them to avoid landing yourself in any trouble.

Operating A Motor Vehicle Under The Effect of Alcohol or Drug – Article 31 of Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York state that it is against law to drive any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drug. The common driving law worldwide – Do not Drink & Drive.

Driving Without a License – One must not drive a motor vehicle upon public highway, sidewalk or any other public place without a driving license. Under, section 509 of article 19, one should be duly licensed while driving any vehicle at such places.

Driving Without Registration/ With Expired Registration – The New York government considers its a crime to operate any automobile on public highways of New York without vehicle registration. As per section 401 of Article 14, it is important to drive only a registered vehicle.

Reckless Driving - Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York states under section 1212 of article 33 that reckless driving is an offence. Its violation of traffic rule to drive a motor vehicle in a reckless manner. If someone drives in an unreasonable manner on a public roadway or highway endangering other highway user, the person will be have to pay penalty or might serve imprisonment.

Seat Belt/ Child Restraint Violations – Section 1229 C says that violation of operation of vehicles with safety seats and safety belts is a law and anyone not abiding by this provision is subject to be guilty of a misdemeanor. This driving law means all the back seat passengers who are under the 4 years of age should be restrained in a specially designed baby car seat that is permanently affixed or is affixed to such vehicle with a safety belt.

Disobeying of Traffic Signals/ Red Light/ Stop Sign – If one does not follow traffic signs or traffic rules or jumps red light, then it is an offence under article 24.

Driving On Right Side of Roadway or Overtaking – One should never drive on the right side of roadway or try to overtake another vehicle. Article 24 also considers these acts violation of traffic laws.

No Driving on Sidewalks – It is an offence (under1225) to drive any motor vehicle on or across the sidewalks. Exception to this vehicle is that one can drive at a reasonable speed that is not more than 5 miles/ hour without disturbing the safety and passage of pedestrians.

Cling to Other Vehicle – Stated under 1253, a motorbike rider should not cling to any other vehicles on a roadway.

Operating Motorcycles on Roadways Laned for Traffic – Full use of lane is entitled to all the motorcycles till the time there is no disturbance to other motorcycles on the road. Under section 1252, no motorbike should be driven in a manner to deprive other motorcycle of the full use of a lane.

These were some of the driving laws of New York. Stay tuned for driving rules or motoring laws of other states, countries in the next post. Till, then Happy Driving!!