Public/PrivateDrive

[tlrs]

I've read that a Private driveway means an improved or unimproved path, road or ground surface extending from a public street or private road, which provides vehicular ingress and egress to no more than one improved lot, parcel or principal building.


So if this driveway goes into a hospital, and several other buildings does this make it a public driveway?

My grandfather was in an automobile accident, and the state patrol officer in charge said that it was his fault, because the other driver was in a private driveway and could be on whatever side he chose?

 

[NYClex]

Well, no. There are two different things here. The cop might not be able to issue a ticket, if an accident happens on a private piece of land where the general traffic laws are not applicable.

But if it comes to fault in causing damage, the law does not necessarily look at the traffic rules, but looks at what conduct is reasonable and what is not.

So for example, if in a private driveway one person uses the right side of the road and the other the left and therefore an accident happens, the court would ask: was it unreasonable for the guy to drive on the left side? Probably the court would say yes and therefore find the fault with that driver.