The New York State Thruway Authority has adopted some rules regarding the use of its service areas, rest areas, parking areas, and text stops along the New York State Thruway. These rules are codified under Title 21, Chapter III, Subchapter A, of the New York State Codes, Rules, and Regulations (21 CRR-NY). These rules are presented below, in full text, word-for-word…
Note: these rules do not apply to rest areas, scenic overlooks, welcome centers, and parking areas located along Interstates, U.S. Highways, and State Highways under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Transportation. For those rules, refer to, “Rules for Using Rest Areas in New York“.
Part 102 Limitations on Use of Thruway System
102.2 Prohibition of liquor and other intoxicating beverages.
No person shall consume any intoxicating beverage nor have in his or her possession any open bottle or container, containing liquor, beer, wine or other alcoholic beverage while such person is on any portion of the Thruway system. An open bottle or open container in any vehicle, while on the Thruway system, shall be presumptive evidence that the same is in the possession of all the occupants thereof and in violation of this section.
102.4 Hitchhiking; loitering.
The solicitation of a ride, commonly known as hitchhiking, or stopping any vehicle for the purpose of picking up or discharging a hitchhiker, on any portion of the Thruway system, including toll plazas, is prohibited. Loitering in or about the toll plazas or any other portion of the Thruway system, for the purpose of hitchhiking or for any other purpose, is prohibited.
102.5 Commercial activity; solicitation of funds.
No person shall carry on any commercial activity on the Thruway system without the written permission of, or unless under contract with, the Thruway Authority. No person shall post, distribute or display signs, advertisements, circulars, printed or written matter on the Thruway system without written permission from the Thruway Authority. No person shall solicit funds for any purpose on the Thruway system without written permission of the Thruway Authority.
102.6 Waste and rubbish.
Disposal on the Thruway system of bottles, cans, paper, garbage, rubbish or other waste material of any kind or description is prohibited. Disposal of said material in dumpsters at service areas is restricted to waste and rubbish accumulated during travel.
102.8 Acts interfering with Thruway operations.
The following acts are prohibited by any person on any portion of the Thruway system when they interfere or tend to interfere with the efficient, safe and orderly operation of the Thruway system:
(a) The throwing, hurling or dropping of any missiles or other objects which might result in injury to patrons or Thruway employees or other persons or damages to the property of the Thruway Authority, its patrons or other persons.
(b) Interference with, damage to or destruction of property of the Thruway Authority, of its patrons or other persons.
(c) The unlawful discharge of any firearms, fireworks or other explosives.
(d) Interference with the lawful duties of Thruway employees or members of Troop T, State Police.
(e) Any act or conduct which interferes, or tends to interfere with the free, orderly and safe flow of traffic on the Thruway.
(f) Assembly or congregating with other persons who by their presence may interfere with the efficient, safe and orderly operation of the Thruway system.
(g) Disorderly, boisterous or violent conduct whereby a breach of the peace may be occasioned.
(h) Trespass, entry or presence upon Thruway property other than in the normal course of duties of a Thruway employee patron or for the transaction of business with the Thruway Authority, its concessionaires or contractors.
(i) Engaging in any act or conduct obstructing or tending to obstruct, unrestricted access to any part of the Thruway system by Thruway employees, persons having business with the Thruway Authority, its concessionaires or contractors, or the use thereof by its patrons.
Part 103 Operation of Vehicles
103.8 Parking of vehicles.
(a) Parking is prohibited on all roadways. No vehicle on the Thruway system shall be parked, stopped or allowed to stand on the traffic lanes, acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, bridges, access ramps or on shoulders in front of service areas.
(b) Stopping is prohibited on the shoulders of the traffic lanes except in an emergency, or when authorized by the State Police or an employee of the Thruway Authority. In the event that it is necessary for the driver of a truck or tractor trailer to leave such vehicle on the Thruway unattended and it is impossible or impractical, in the opinion of the State Police, to have such vehicle towed off the Thruway, the driver shall obtain a parking permit from the State Police before leaving the Thruway system.
Part 104 Abandoned Vehicles
104.1 Definitions.
For purposes of this Part, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Abandoned vehicle.
Any motor vehicle which is allowed to stand unattended by an operator upon the Thruway right-of-way with no number plates affixed thereto for more than two hours, or with number plates affixed thereto for more than four hours, without a valid parking permit, shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner thereof, regardless of who so abandoned such vehicle. Any vehicle so abandoned is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, except that such designation shall not apply to a disabled vehicle where the operator thereof has duly reported the disablement to the State Police or to an employee of the Thruway Authority and provided, further, that satisfactory arrangements have been made for repair within 12 hours.
(b) Authorized garage.
An independent off-Thruway garage that is assigned the towing, winching and repair responsibility on a given section of the Thruway system, having in its possession a duly executed letter of authorization issued by the Thruway Authority.
104.2 Violation.
Any such abandonment of motor vehicle shall constitute a violation of this Part by the operator and owner thereof and shall be subject to the penalties prescribed by law.
104.3 Removal of abandoned vehicles.
Any abandoned vehicle shall be removed from the right-of-way by an authorized garage or other agency designated by the Thruway Authority.