What's happening
This bill clarifies that solid double white lines are official lane markings where lane changes are legally prohibited on roadways.
Why it matters
Clarifies enforcement. By explicitly defining solid double white lines as "official markings," the bill helps eliminate ambiguity for both drivers and law enforcement regarding where lane changes are strictly prohibited, potentially reducing disputes over traffic violations.
Aligns with traffic standards. The bill brings New York’s definitions in line with the state’s official Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, ensuring consistent application of traffic laws and signage statewide.
Enhances road safety. With clearer legal language, drivers are more likely to recognize and respect areas where lane changes are dangerous, particularly in high-risk locations such as highway merges, tunnels, or complex intersections.
Supports municipal regulation. The amendment specifically ties the prohibition to “official order, ordinance, rule or regulation,” reinforcing the authority of local and state agencies to designate and enforce no-lane-change zones as needed for public safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Clarify Lane Marking Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Clarify Lane Marking Rules
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Martin Malavé Dilan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2525
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SKARTADOS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to roadway lane markings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (d) of section 1128 of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 206 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
(d) When official markings are in place indicating those portions of any roadway where crossing such markings would be especially hazardous, no driver of a vehicle proceeding along such highway shall at any time drive across such markings. For purposes of this subdivision, "official markings" shall mean lane line markings consisting of a solid double white line used to indicate where specific lane changing is legally prohibited for a particular section of roadway by official order, ordinance, rule or regulation, in conformance with the New York state manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices adopted by the commissioner of transportation pursuant to section sixteen hundred eighty of this chapter.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01647-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.