Many New York drivers tend to ignore common traffic laws, such as not following too closely or passing on the right.
The rules of the road are laws enforceable by citations and are designed to keep all travelers safe on New York’s streets. Despite that, many motorists choose to ignore the traffic code, creating dangers for other drivers.
Below, you’ll find seven of the most commonly ignored New York traffic laws. Keep reading to discover what they are and how to stay safe when driving.
For further reading:
1. New York Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
New York’s laws require you to keep to the right when moving slower than the rest of traffic.
If you are on a multi-lane road, you must stay in the furthest right-hand lane unless you pass or get ready to make a left turn. When there is only one lane in each direction, you should drive as close to the right-hand curb as possible.
Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.
2. New York Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
If you are driving on a New York highway with a posted minimum speed, you must maintain at least that pace. However, there is no statewide minimum speed. Instead, New York law requires you to not impede or block the normal flow of traffic except when it is necessary to drive safely or comply with the law.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Whenever a minimum speed limit has been established, no person shall drive at a speed less than such minimum speed limit except when entering upon or preparing to exit from the highway upon which such a minimum speed limit has been established, when preparing to stop, or when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
3. New York Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
New York requires you to pass on the left when you pass another vehicle. You also must overtake the other motorist entirely before moving back to the right, it is illegal to cut them off.
Before you cross the center line to complete a pass, you must ensure the other lanes are free of oncoming traffic. You cannot pass if you cannot see the road due to a hill or curve or if you’d come within 200 feet of a vehicle headed in the opposite direction.
For drivers being passed, you must give the overtaking vehicle room. You also are prohibited from speeding up while the other driver is passing.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet of any approaching vehicle.
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway when approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.
4. New York Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
New York defines illegal tailgating as following the car in front of you more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.” Though there is no set distance that is always too close, what is considered illegal can change based on weather and traffic conditions.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
5. New York Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
Making or taking a cell phone call while driving in New York is illegal unless your phone is entirely hands-free. The law creates an exception for when you need to communicate regarding an emergency.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a public highway while using a mobile telephone to engage in a call while such vehicle is in motion
This shall not apply to the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating regarding an emergency situation or the use of a hands-free mobile telephone.
6. New York Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
New York’s traffic laws solve the problem of who gets to go first when two cars reach an intersection at the same time. The code requires the driver to the left to allow the other motorist to proceed first.
When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
7. New York Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Before making a left turn across lanes of oncoming traffic in New York, you must yield. First, you have to let any vehicles close enough to be hazardous go past, then you can start making the turn.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Complying with New York’s traffic laws will make it less likely that you get a ticket or end up in an accident. The rules of the road are in place to help everyone travel safely. So, keep these seven often-overlooked laws in mind the next time you get behind the wheel.