GRIDLOCK SAM

FRIDAY, JAN. 8-SUNDAY, JAN. 10 ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

New year, new regulations! Several changes to the rules of the road are now in effect or will be soon. Tolls have ticked up on the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (unless you’re a Westchester or Rockland resident with E-ZPass whose vehicle is registered there), but the big sticker shock will be for drivers on the Thruway without an E-ZPass: expect to pay 30% extra. There’s never been a better incentive to sign up at e-zpassny.com.

Vehicles converted to stretch limos are now required to have seatbelts available to passengers, and signage encouraging their use. This law was passed in the wake of a terrible crash in Upstate New York that killed 20 people.

Gov. Cuomo has signed a bill ending license suspensions for people unable to pay fines in full for traffic violations and allowing those with licenses currently suspended for non-payment to get them restored. Motorists will be able to settle fines over time instead, ensuring New Yorkers won’t lose access to transportation or employment because of an inability to pay. The law takes effect in April.

Expect protests all weekend in reaction to events in Washington. I would avoid hotspots like Trump Tower (5th Ave. and 57th St.), Times Sq., Union Sq., and the Barclays Center. Saturday at noon, there will be a rally outside Rep. Malliotakis’ office, 77th St. and 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn.

On the LIE, up to two lanes will be closed westbound from Maurice Ave. to the BQE, Friday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

From midnight to 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, two eastbound lanes on the upper level and two westbound lanes on the lower level of the Trans-Manhattan Expressway (the extension of the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan) will be shut, as will the westbound ramp from the GWB to the northbound Palisades Interstate Pkwy.

NOTE TO READERS: Resolve to avoid tickets this year with a 2021 Gridlock Sam Parking Calendar! Available as a free download at gridlocksam.com/store. It features all the parking suspension dates, new COVID temporary rules, and much more. For hard copies, please send checks for postage and handling to Gridlock Sam, 322 Eighth Ave., Fifth Floor, New York, NY, 10001. One calendar is $3, five are $5, and 10 are $6. My apologies for the delay in getting hard copies out. With high COVID rates, I stopped going into the office, and we’ve faced some distribution challenges. I’m aiming to fully catch up next week.