July 24, 2023

Strange Driving Laws in New York

5 Stranger than Fiction Laws That You Need to Know

Every state has weird laws that make you think twice, but New York takes the cake for some of the oddest traffic laws in the nation. There are several real head scratches, from prohibiting funny noises to making it illegal to change clothes in your vehicle.

At Denlea & Carton LLP, we represent individuals injured in car accidents throughout Westchester County, New York. We proudly serve injured parties in White Plains and the surrounding areas. Contact our office for a free consultation if you have been injured in a traffic accident. 

Here are five of the weirdest driving laws in New York:

1. No SleepIn the Village of Southampton, people may only sleep in their motor vehicle during certain hours. According to the local law, if your car is stationary, you may not sleep in it between 2:00 – 5:00 am.
2.  No U-TurnsHope that you never make a mistake while navigating because U-turns are prohibited in West Hampton Dunes. Oddly enough, a local ordinance makes it illegal for a person to make a U-turn on any of the streets or parts of streets within the village.
3. No DisrobingIt is illegal to disrobe in your vehicle in the Village of Sag Harbor. Buried in a vague bathing statute, Sag Harbor makes it unlawful to take off your clothes in public places or in your vehicle. The statute also requires individuals to bathe in the waters of the Village with a swimsuit or proper cover.
4. No Warming Up
   Despite cold temperatures outside, it is illegal to warm up your vehicle unless you are in it in New York. It can be tempting in below zero temps to start your car and run back to your warm home until the vehicle heats up. Unfortunately, this is prohibited by state law. You could receive a citation, even if it is freezing outside. The Unattended Motor Vehicle law prohibits a person from allowing a vehicle to stand unattended if they have not stopped the engine and removed the key from the car.
5. No Speeding Past a Sanitation Truck
   A 2016 modification to an older law redefined what a hazard truck is in New York. The new definition includes sanitation trucks. The law was designed to protect sanitation workers from dangerous conditions where strangers routinely zip past them. It states that drivers must now slow down when passing a sanitation truck, just as required to with a fire truck or other emergency vehicle.

Injured in a Wreck in Westchester County? Contact Our Office.

Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident? We will help you determine all of your legal options. Whether you were hurt by a negligent motorist who didn’t follow local laws or you were involved in a collision with a city bus, we may be able to help. Contact our office at (914) 368-7168 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.