GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New York. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Bicycle helmets required for all riders 1 year or older and under 14. Children under 1 prohibited.
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
8 years
None
55
55
65
65
55
55
0.18
Yes
Yes
Mandatory for all convictions
Yes
Yes
Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint
3 yrs or under unless over 40 lbs and no lap/shoulder belt available
4-7 yrs unless no lap/shoulder belt available
8 yrs and older must be restrained by a seatbelt
50 (15)
16 / 6
9 p.m. - 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed)
No more than 1 under 21
17 years with driver's ed. 18 years without driver's ed.
16
6
Primary
All riders
All
Yes. Primary law.
No
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Permitted by state law
Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on controlled access highway exit ramp or within 300 feet following
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Specified jurisdictions
Decriminalized and legal for medical use
None
None
Teen drivers 16-20 years of age in New York State account for a disproportionate number of crashes each year. Every day, approximately ten people are killed or injured in car crashes involving a teen driver. The leading causes of these crashes are excessive speed, distraction and driver inexperience.
State legislation creating the red-light camera program was initially enacted 30 years ago, and is slated to sunset by December. On March 20, the DOT called for a renewal and expansion of the program, throwing their support behind two state legislators pushing a package of bills that would do just that. To back up their quest, the transportation agency has also released a “Red-Light Camera Report,” which notes that a record 29 New Yorkers died last year in crashes stemming from blown red lights. None of those intersections had red-light cameras, the DOT added.
Ten years after New York became the first US city to adopt the Vision Zero traffic safety model, transportation authorities and activists see progress and frustrations. Notwithstanding the Covid-19 pause of 2020, the largest city in the US ended 2023 with its safest year for pedestrians since record-keeping began 114 years ago, with 101 deaths for a metropolis of 8.5 million people
The New York City based Orlow Firm works to obtain justice and compensation for victims of traffic crashes. Their team of attorneys represents victims of traffic-related incidents, including car, pedestrian and bicycle crashes. They work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable and ensure their clients receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
GHSA and Ford Motor Company Fund are celebrating a 20-year partnership dedicated to youth traffic safety by awarding grants totaling $94,000 to four states to advance access to safe mobility for teens in underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
GHSA and Ford Motor Company Fund are celebrating a 20-year partnership dedicated to youth traffic safety by awarding grants totaling $94,000 to four states to advance access to safe mobility for teens in underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
On Thursday, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Ford Motor Company Fund announced they will award $94,000 in grants to four states, including New York, to educate teen drivers on roadway safety, with an emphasis on underserved and economically disadvantaged communities.
To complement their e-scooter pilot, the National Road Safety Foundation & GHSA awarded grant funding to the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to conduct a multilingual education & outreach program promoting safety on scooters, skateboards & other micromobility devices by recruiting teen interns.
Connecting Clients Consulting, LLC provides strategic consulting services in traffic safety, including impaired driving, distracted driving, Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety, younger drivers, speed, pedestrian & bike safety, automated vehicles, traffic enforcement issues & risky driving behaviors.
The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny is a Manhattan-based personal injury firm with over 100 years of combined experience.
