US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

 
    § 1182-a. Multi-jurisdictional   speed  contests,  races  and  similar
  special events. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision  of  law  to  the
  contrary,  the  department  of  transportation  may,  by  order, rule or
  regulation, prohibit or regulate races, speed contests,  exhibitions  of
  speed  or other similar special events which are held on public highways
  in more than one county. Participants in an approved race,  contest,  or
  exhibition  are exempted from compliance with any traffic laws otherwise
  applicable thereto, but shall exercise reasonable care. Such  rules  and
  regulations  shall  include,  among other things, provision for adequate
  insurance  coverage;  provision  for  approval  by  the   municipalities
  involved;  provision  for  payment or reimbursement of all the costs and
  expenses of the state which are incurred  in  connection  with  such  an
  event;  provision  for  assumption  of risk for damages or claims by the
  organizer,  sponsor,  driver,  rider  or  participant  in  such   event;
  provision  for  the  closure  of or restriction on public use and travel
  upon highways or parts thereof for a certain period of time whenever the
  state or local police determine such is necessary to protect the  public
  safety,  security,  or  convenience.    Prior to the scheduled date of a
  proposed multi-jurisdictional race, speed contest, exhibition  of  speed
  or other similar special event, the sponsor or organizer shall apply, in
  writing,  to  the  department of transportation for consideration of and
  authorization to conduct  such  an  event.  Such  application  shall  be
  reviewed  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation, the commissioner of
  economic development and the superintendent of state  police,  or  their
  designees.  Only  if  such  persons  unanimously agree that the proposed
  event should take place, the department of transportation shall continue
  the review process and shall establish such reasonable  requirements  as
  are necessary to protect the public safety.
    2.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of law to the contrary, no
  person or entity shall have the right to bring  an  action  against  the
  state   or   municipality  or  any  person  employed  by  the  state  or
  municipality who was acting  within  the  scope  of  his  authority  for
  damages  resulting  from or in connection with any such race, contest or
  exhibition. In the event of any such claim  being  brought  against  any
  such  individual  employed  by  the  state,  the  provisions  of section
  seventeen of the public officers law shall apply.
    3. The division of state police and the  department  of  commerce  are
  hereby  authorized  to  provide  necessary support and assistance to the
  department of transportation in connection with its power to prohibit or
  regulate races, speed contests, exhibitions of speed  or  other  similar
  special events pursuant to this section.