# Are people allowed to drive in NYC? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040 "2015-01-27T19:34:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/21 "2015-01-28T01:13:11Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > in the interest of promoting a stable city horses were allowed. I see what you did there. Welcome to Manehattan. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/22 "2015-01-28T01:13:23Z")
As mentioned, it was not a curfew, it was an _“if it’s gonna be as bad as they claim, we need nobody in his car stuck in the middle of it”_ decision to clear the streets. Driving a car in the public road is a licensed privilege, and a determination of compelling interest in public safety during an emergency can result in an order to get off the road. FWIW the state and county _ **can** _ enforce a curfew in an emergency, so why would they not be able to do only part thereof? ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/23 "2015-01-28T01:50:47Z")
I’ve never really lived someplace that conducted primary enforcement but some used it as a lever to keep you off the streets… and enforced it if you did cause a problem. This did remind me of someone I knew who was taking a winter trip south when a storm struck in Kentucky long ago. They didn’t have signs but had law enforcement closing the highway and directing people off at an exit. At that point most of the resident drivers were already long since hunkered down. They stopped and asked why the highway was being closed (detour? accident? zombie apocalypse?). The cop seemed slightly surprised and explained it was because of the horrible snow storm (a couple inches) and they were closing the highway. “Really?!? I’m from Michigan.” He got waved through. It was like his personal interstate that day. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/24 "2015-01-28T03:48:13Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Given that cars didn’t exist when the constitution was drafted, I don’t see how there could be a constitutional right to use one… Um…it doesn’t work that way–you know that, right? What I want to know is how did the subway workers get to work to restart the subway before the driving ban was lifted? Not all of them live near the train yards. Maybe nobody lives near the train yards. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/25 "2015-01-28T03:54:08Z")
The subway was not shut down, as it was during Hurricane Sandy. Trains were kept running to clear snow off the tracks, but we little people were forbidden from riding it. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/26 "2015-01-28T03:56:58Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Given that cars didn’t exist when the constitution was drafted, I don’t see how there could be a constitutional right to use one. Careful with this reasoning: Neither computers nor automatic rifles existed when the Constitution was drafted, and the use of _those_ things has been pretty strongly enshrined in the First and Second Amendments, respectively. The reason this is legal is because there is no Constitutional right to use the roads. It’s the same reason states can require drivers’ licenses. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/27 "2015-01-28T04:15:44Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The subway was not shut down, as it was during Hurricane Sandy. Trains were kept running to clear snow off the tracks, but we little people were forbidden from riding it. Huh. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/28 "2015-01-28T04:35:28Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Driving is not a right, and is licensed by the state (check your wallet). Since the state licenses it, the state can make regulations. > > Technically, I suppose the mayor has to ask the DMV to make the ruling, but they won’t give him any trouble about it. It is a qualified right. Provided I can demonstrate the ability and knowledge, the state cannot deprive me of the right to drive according to the rules of the road. I have gone to hearings to get such qualified people their licenses back when automatically deprived after a stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/29 "2015-01-28T05:00:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > On my one visit to NYC, I was amazed at all the vehicles, mostly taxis. Not only is the traffic (mostly cabs and box trucks) ridiculous in NYC, but good luck finding a place to park that’s reasonably priced. I was stationed on Governor’s Island for almost 3 years. The ONLY time I drove into Manhattan and I wasn’t passing through to get somewhere that wasn’t in Manhattan was the time I drove to 48th St to buy a Fender Twin Reverb, because it would have been too much hassle to lug and/or roll it back to South Ferry via the subway system. One thing that surprised me was that to help clear the streets of snow, they attached snow blades to the front of garbage trucks. Once I realized what they did, I decided that it was a damned good idea. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/30 "2015-01-28T06:08:19Z")
> [@copperwindow](#): > > What constitutes “a good reason”? If I’m driving from Delaware to Connecticut on I95, are there signs telling me that I can’t drive? Yes, as far as Connecticut is concerned. We had a travel ban on all roads, including highways and local roads, from 9 p.m. last night to 2 p.m. today (and even at that point, state officials recommended staying off the roads). The travel ban was widely disseminated on TV and radio, and it was posted on all of the variable message signs on the highways as well. They wwre threatening fines, etc. for all vehicles other than emergency responders and snow plows. Essential personnel for hospitals, power plants, etc. were told to plan on spending the night at their place of business. ---
**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/31 "2015-01-28T17:36:12Z")
But what is “a good reason”? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/32 "2015-01-28T17:46:39Z")
A blizzard is a good reason. Also, say, a Borg invasion. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/33 "2015-01-28T17:49:53Z")
NYC = Nanny State Central. Of course you can’t drive in snow. Whodoyouthinkyouare ? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/34 "2015-01-28T18:28:36Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > A blizzard is a good reason. > > Also, say, a Borg invasion. Yeah, driving would seem futile. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/35 "2015-01-28T19:19:26Z")
> [@copperwindow](#): > > But what is “a good reason”? In my experience in MA the goal is to convince people to stay off the roads not lock people up. ‘A good reason’ allows a lot of discretion on the the part officers. Most excuses beyond ‘I wanted to drive around and see what it’s like’ can get you out of a ticket. Provided you are driving a vehicle designed for the conditions they are unlikely to take the time to stop you. The F250 4wd pickup doesn’t get stopped. The guy in his Toyota Corolla will have some explainin to do. I am a well water professional and an electrician. If someone is without water or power during the winter it is considered a nessesary service. I am allowed on the roads during states of emergency. I’ve never been stopped and asked to explain myself. My friend who was a manager for a warehouse has been pulled over and sent home for trying to go in to work. ---
**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/36 "2015-01-28T20:24:27Z")
What about the people who get their food from meals on wheels? How is meals on wheels supposed to deliver? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/37 "2015-01-28T20:34:16Z")
> [@copperwindow](#): > > What about the people who get their food from meals on wheels? How is meals on wheels supposed to deliver? I would guess that they and other such services have an exemption, or as **boytyperanma** says the cops will just let them through. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/38 "2015-01-28T20:39:42Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Nobody is stopping you from putting the car together, you just can’t test drive it… You can’t test drive it on public roads. You could drive it on your own property. If it runs. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/39 "2015-01-28T20:48:44Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > In my experience in MA the goal is to convince people to stay off the roads not lock people up. ‘A good reason’ allows a lot of discretion on the the part officers. Most excuses beyond ‘I wanted to drive around and see what it’s like’ can get you out of a ticket. Provided you are driving a vehicle designed for the conditions they are unlikely to take the time to stop you. The F250 4wd pickup doesn’t get stopped. The guy in his Toyota Corolla will have some explainin to do. When I was growing up, my mother was a directory assistance operator (411 operator). During one of the big blizzards (it might have been the big one in 1978), my father got stopped when he was driving her to work during , but she showed her ID badge and the police let them through. Her company also had cots stored in the building in case people needed to stay overnight. And I remember during the Blizzard of 1978, there were calls on the radio for people with four-wheel drive vehicles to help shuttle doctors to the hospitals. (Four-wheel drive was much less common back then.) ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040/40 "2015-01-28T20:54:48Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I would guess that they and other such services have an exemption, or as **boytyperanma** says the cops will just let them through. Meals on Wheels has provisions for emergencies, on the school closings news crawl you can frequently see the notice that Meals on Wheels recipients should use their blizzard bags/boxes/whatever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-allowed-to-drive-in-nyc/711040.md?page=3)