Exploring Road Shoulder Rules: What Every New Yorker Needs To Know

Road shoulders. Never really thought much about that part of a roadway painted in tiger striping. You may see these at intersections on roadways both locally and throughout the nation.

Basically, they mean that this section of the roadway is off-limits to motor vehicles. But how many times have you seen vehicles drive on the shoulder in order to make a turn? Maybe you are guilty of this act.

Well, it is a traffic violation, subject to a fine, and the Town of Vestal Police Department. recently reminded motorists why that is.

The VPD notes that road shoulders are only for bicyclists, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and highway maintenance crews. When making a turn at the intersection, motorists must use the right turn lane only. It is illegal and dangerous to turn from the road shoulder.

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While tow trucks are among those vehicles permitted to access a road shoulder, New York State DMV law indicates that tow truck operators should use shoulders or slopes "in as limited and incidental a manner as practicable when dispatched to the scene of an accident by a law enforcement agency or an authority, department or agency having jurisdiction over such controlled-access highway and all lanes are obstructed by traffic.

The Town of Vestal Police Department also notes that this is not just a local law, it is a state-wide law and is subject to a fine and two points on the motorist's driver's license.

For more details on road shoulders, visit the Town of Vestal Police Department website.