RV's Up To 45 Feet In Length To Be Allowed On Most New York State Owned Roads

(June 27. 2003) Governor George E. Pataki today announced that New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman and Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer have signed blanket waivers authorizing recreational vehicles (RV's) up to 45 feet in length to travel on highways operated by New York State with the exception of state parkways.

"Tourism comprises a significant part of New York State's economy, and it is vital to ensure that people seeking fun and relaxation from our mountains to our beaches are able to travel state operated highways, free from onerous restrictions," Governor Pataki said. "With this waiver, we are inviting those who own large recreational vehicles to come and experience everything the great people of New York State have to offer."

In addition to relaxing the vehicle length restriction, the waiver requires drivers of any RV more than 40 feet in length or more than 26,000 pounds to have an R endorsement from the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure they are qualified to safely operate such vehicles. RV operators are required to pass a DMV road test in order to receive the R endorsement.

RV's more than 40 feet in length also are required to have a wall-to-wall turning diameter of 90 feet, 3 inches or less to ensure the vehicle can stay in the appropriate lane when making an intersection turn. Owners are required to carry a letter from the vehicle manufacturer certifying the turning diameter.

The waiver also allows for maximum vehicle width to be extended on the large RV's to provide for awnings. A self-propelled house coach measured awning to awning will be allowed a maximum width of 112 inches, and a fifth-wheel RV trailer will be allowed a width of 108 inches, awning to awning. Any vehicle exceeding a base width of 96 inches, exclusive of awnings, is legal only on state highways with lane widths of 10 feet or on designated truck access routes.

The waiver does not apply within the boundaries of New York City. However, access to Long Island is allowed on Interstate 95 from the Westchester County line through the Bronx to Interstates 295 and 495 east into Nassau and Suffolk counties.

New York State is one of only seven states that has not allowed recreational vehicles of more than 40 feet in length within its borders. All New York border states with the exception of New Jersey allow 45 foot recreational vehicles, resulting in a loss of tourist dollars in New York.

"New York State is a tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors each year, boosting our economy, and we want to welcome those who wish to travel and vacation here in large RV's," Commissioner Boardman said. "This waiver will enable people to operate recreational vehicles up to 45 feet in length after meeting safety requirements, ensuring that greater numbers of travelers can experience the enjoyment of vacationing in the Empire State."

"Recreational vehicle operators make up a significant portion of the millions of tourists who use the Thruway to reach their summer vacation destinations," said Executive Director Fleischer. "This waiver will allow operators of RV's up to 45 feet long to reach those destinations safely and enjoy the best of what New York State has to offer this summer."

The waiver is generally consistent with a bill recently passed by the State Legislature to permanently allow RV's up to 45 feet in length on state highways. The bill, which has not yet been delivered to the Governor, would take effect 90 days after his approval, potentially limiting its effectiveness during the entire summer tourist season. The waiver was deemed necessary to ensure that owners of such vehicles can begin visiting New York State immediately.

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