New York Consolidated Laws, Vehicle and Traffic Law - VAT § 1213. Obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism

(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such number of persons as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle. In no event shall there be more than three persons in the front seat of any vehicle, except where such seat has been constructed to accommodate more than three persons and there is eighteen inches of seating capacity for each passenger or occupant in said front seat.

(b) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such a position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.