Rules of the road: NYS traffic laws you may not know about

Those who drive in New York State know the basics: stop at a stop sign or red light, obey the speed limit, use your blinker when turning, etc. However, there are more obscure vehicle and traffic laws in New York that you may, or may not, know about.

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Those who drive in New York State know the basics: stop at a stop sign or red light, obey the speed limit, use your blinker when turning, etc. However, there are more obscure vehicle and traffic laws that you may, or may not, know about.

New York State governs most vehicle and traffic laws, but municipalities may have their own. For example, you cannot smoke or vape in car with a child who is under 16 years old in Schenectady.

Even if you don't know about a law, you could still get ticketed for it. Here's some New York State driving laws you may not know about.

1. Obstructing the driver's view

Drivers are not allowed to place or hang objects in or around their vehicle as it could obstruct or interfere with the driver's view through the front and/or back windshield. This is most common with drivers hanging objects from their rearview mirror.

2. Windshields, rear windows, and windshield wipers

Drivers are not allowed to place posters or stickers on windshields or rear windows. Handbills and other advertisements cannot be attached to windshields and windshield wipers.

3. Seat belts

Everyone, which includes the driver and passengers, must wear a seat belt in the car. Children must be strapped into child safety seats or booster seats.

4. Move over

New York's Move Over Law recently expanded to include all vehicles pulled over on the side of roadways. Drivers must change lanes or slow down if they’re unable to safely do so.

5. No avoiding intersections

Drivers should not try to avoid intersections or traffic-control devices by driving through a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, private property, or off a roadway. Some places have "No Thru Traffic" signs to help prevent this.

6. Headlights

Your headlights need to be turned on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunset. Also, your headlights must be on when you are using your windshield wipers for rain, sleet, snow, hail, and other low visibility weather.

7. If you hit certain animals

As you are required to report any crashes between your car and another car or pedestrian, you need to report if you hit certain animals. If you hit and injure a horse, dog, cat, or cattle animals, you must stop and try to locate the owner and/or contact police so the animal may have medical attention.

8. U-turns

U-turns are prohibited in certain areas including around any curve, near the top of a hill, or when another car cannot see you within 500 feet. Drivers also can't make a U-turn within a school zone.

9. No coasting

Coasting is not allowed. This means that drivers cannot coast down a hill with the gears in neutral or with the clutch disengaged.

You can read all of the vehicle and traffic laws on the New York State website.