2022 New York Laws
VAT - Vehicle and Traffic
Title 7 - Rules of the Road
Article 25 - Driving on Right Side of Roadway, Overtaking and Passing, Etc.
1120 - Drive on Right Side of Roadway; Exceptions.

Universal Citation:
NY Veh & Traf L § 1120 (2022)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
§ 1120. Drive  on  right  side  of  roadway;  exceptions. (a) Upon all
roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven  upon  the  right
half of the roadway, except as follows:
  1.  When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same
direction under the rules governing such movement;
  2. When overtaking or  passing  bicyclists,  pedestrians,  animals  or
obstructions on the right half of the roadway;
  3. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left
of  the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield
the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction  upon
the  unobstructed  portion  of  the  highway  within such distance as to
constitute an immediate hazard;
  4. Where travel on the shoulder  or  slope  is  permitted  by  section
eleven hundred thirty-one of this article;
  5.  Upon  a  roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under
the rules applicable thereon; or
  6. Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(b) In addition, upon all roadways, 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 proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by signs or markings designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a) (2) hereof.

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