Parking, pedestrians and bridges: what a driver needs to know in New York

Almost every New Yorker and anyone who has ever been to New York will advise you not to drive. Once in the city, most people find that they don't need a car because they can easily take a taxi or subway to get where they want to go. All the nuances of driving in New York were told by the publication TripSavvy.

However, sometimes you have no choice and then driving is your only option. To do this, you will need to study the rules of the road, the secrets of finding available parking, the main bridges and expressways that connect parts of the city.

Traffic Laws

Busy New York City streets and fearless pedestrians can intimidate even the most confident of drivers. And due to the constant traffic in the city, the traffic rules for turning and parking are probably very different from those you are used to at home.

• Road signs. There are many main avenues that cannot be turned left at certain hours, so watch out for signs. These rules are designed to limit traffic congestion at busy intersections, and the police will issue you a fine if you are caught on an illegal turn.
• Do not block the intersection: If you see a traffic light about to change its light, stay where you are so you don't get stuck in the middle of an intersection, this can incur a large fine.
• Fees. Tolls in New York are widespread and significant, especially when crossing the border between New Jersey and New York. Some bridges, such as Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and Manhattan, are free. Some fees are non-cash, and if you don't have an E-ZPass, your license plate will be photographed and a fare invoice mailed to your registered address.
• Cell Phones. Using portable devices while driving, whether it be talking or texting, is illegal and you can be fined if detained. There are exceptions if you use the speakerphone features of your device or call the emergency services.
• Alcohol: The blood alcohol limit for driving in New York City is 0,08%.
• Smoking: Smoking in the car is prohibited if you are traveling with a child under 18, you can be fined for this.
• Signal: An “unnecessary signal” is technically illegal in New York and carries a $ 350 fine. However, it won't take you long to notice that this law is rarely enforced. Although many New York City drivers use a dial tone, you should avoid it and not add to the noise.
• Pedestrians: Pedestrians in New York are brave and often cross the road, so keep an eye out for people wherever you go, whether you're near a crosswalk or not.
• Fire hydrants and pedestrian crossings: When looking for street parking, stay 15 feet (4,5 m) from fire hydrants when parking outside, otherwise your car will most likely be towed. If you park near a pedestrian crossing, make sure your tires are completely outside the crosswalk markings, otherwise you risk getting a fine.

Parking

When you see an empty block with no parked cars, then there is a good reason for this. Whether it is street cleaning or the loading area, street parking in New York is very important, so you rarely see a lot of empty spaces. Watch for signs announcing certain hours or certain days of the week when parking is prohibited in certain areas or on one side of the block.

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Street parking is rare in New York City, but you might get lucky. Most of the time, your surest choice for finding parking is the garage, but finding a good deal in a garage in New York is a cross between a treasure hunt and solving a puzzle.

Before you park, ask the parking staff about the rates and if they accept cash, as some areas only have cash. You can use websites like NYC Best Parking or ParkWhiz to explore parking options.

If you park illegally or run out of a parking meter, there is a high probability that you will receive a fine, and your car may even be towed.

Towing

It is much cheaper to pay for parking, even if it is overpriced, than to risk towing your car to a secure parking lot. Not only are these lots inconveniently located - sometimes they tow your car to Brooklyn, even if it's parked in Manhattan - they charge dearly for "keeping" your car over and above the cost of parking. Plus, towing stands are often closed on weekends and evenings, so this can really ruin your plans and you might have to spend another night in New York to get your car back.

Bridges, tunnels and highways

As you enter Manhattan and the surrounding area, you have a variety of options, from bridges and tunnels leading into New Jersey and other areas, to sections of highways that can get you from Central Park and to the World Trade Center as quickly as possible. New York City's bridges and tunnels have undergone many name changes, so beware of old and outdated signs.

• George Washington Bridge: this bridge connects Fort Lee (New Jersey) to the suburb near Central Park. You can access Washington Heights or the Cross Bronx Expressway, Major Deegan Expressway, Henry Hudson Boulevard, or Riverside.
• Lincoln Tunnel: this tunnel connects Weehawken, New Jersey to downtown near the Port Authority on 42nd Street.
• Golladna Tunnel: from Jersey City, this tunnel will connect you to Lower Manhattan between Soho and Tribeca.
• Westside Highway: An extension of Henry Hudson Boulevard, this scenic road runs north-south from West 72nd Street to southern Manhattan.
• The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel: officially known as the Hugh Carey Tunnel, this tunnel connects Battery Park in downtown Manhattan with Red Hook in Brooklyn.
• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge: this bridge connects Brooklyn to Staten Island.
• The Brooklyn Bridge: tourists love to cross this bridge on foot, but it is also accessible by car from the Seaport to downtown Brooklyn.
• Manhattan Bridge: this bridge connects Chinatown to Dumbo in Brooklyn.
• Williamsburg Bridge: connecting Manhattan with northern Brooklyn, this bridge stretches from the Bowery in Manhattan to Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
• FDR Drive: on the east side of Manhattan, this boulevard starts at 125th Street and ends with an underpass at Battery Park
• Brooklyn Queens Highway: this freeway runs through Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, connecting I-95 with New Jersey.
• Queens-Midtown Tunnel: Crossing the East River, this tunnel connects central Manhattan near 37th Street with Long Island City in Queens.
• Queensboro Bridge: the bridge connects the Upper East Side of Manhattan with Long Island City. Although it passes over Roosevelt Island, you cannot move out there.
• Roosevelt Island Bridge: this bridge runs from Roosevelt Island to Astoria (Queens) and is the only way to get to Roosevelt Island by car.
• Robert Kennedy Bridge: locals call it the Triborough Bridge, in fact it is a complex collection of bridges and expressways connecting Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, as well as Bruckner Freeway (I-278), Major Deegan Expressway (I-87), Harlem River Drive, FDR Drive and Astoria Boulevard.
• Harlem River Drive: this highway runs along the Harlem River, from 10th Avenue in the Inwood area to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in East Harlem.
• Cross Bronx Expressway: part of I-95, this expressway starts at the Alexander Hamilton Bridge, crosses the Harlem River and continues west to the George Washington Bridge.

Keep track of everything

• Traffic light. Watch the light: as soon as the green light turns on, you must immediately start moving, otherwise there is a possibility that someone will drive into you from behind, writes Travel Mom.
• Pedestrian crossings. Don't rely on traffic lights alone. At many intersections (especially those with a fatal accident), the green light may be longer than usual to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely.
• Scooters and bicycles. People often ride scooters, cross the street with dogs, text messages while walking, and bikers while riding. In fact, you need to be on constant high alert at all times.

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Security features

To drive a car in New York, you need to be prepared for the fact that an oncoming car can appear out of nowhere and go very close. But a suite of security features can make life easier. ...

Protect side view mirrors

Always, always, always fold the side mirrors when driving in New York City.

If you park on the street, you might think that the curb mirror is protected from damage. Bikers, skateboarders and pedestrians don't think so and think that there is little room between your car and the curb.

Leave nothing in the car

People leave phone chargers and sunglasses in cars, all of which will fall prey to thieves. If possible, take valuable things with you or hide them where it will be difficult to find them.