No person shall tender or offer for sale goods or merchandise of any kind, engage in any other commercial activity, or solicit contributions for any cause, on any portion of the right of way of a State or interstate highway system, including any rest areas located on such right of way.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to inhibit the operation of commercial traffic, the rendering of emergency services to vehicles or travelers on the State or interstate highway system nor the installation and use of public telephones at locations on the rights of way approved by the State Department of Transportation.
N.J.S. § 39:4-216