Changes in Motor Vehicle Laws

Recent changes are summarized here. Follow the links to learn more about the subject.

• Traffic Citations - An important change in the law regarding traffic citations went into effect on January 1, 2011. Under the new law, when a driver receives a traffic citation, the driver must do one of the following within 30 days or risk suspension of their license by the MVA:
  
  - Pay the fine; or
  - Request a trial; or
  - Request a hearing on the sentence
  
  
• Cell Phones and Driving - A Maryland law prohibits drivers from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a street or highway unless the driver is using a hands free device (effective 10/1/2010)
  
  
• "Move Over" Law - Another law in Maryland aimed at protecting the safety of emergency vehicles on the side of the road says that unless a motorist is otherwise directed, a driver on a road that is wide enough, should make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle when there is an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder ahead. (effective 10/1/2010)
  
  
• Speed Enforcement Cameras in School Zones (effective 10/1/09)
  
  
• Text Messaging (effective 10/1/09)

A person may not use a text messaging device to write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of the roadway.

This does not apply to global positioning systems; or to a text messaging device to contact a 9-1-1 system

Violators of this may face up to a $70 fine

• Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law (effective 6/30/08)
  

Every child under 8 years old must ride in a booster seat or other appropriate child safety seat. Unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller or weighs more than 65 pounds.

Every child from 8 to 16 years old who is not secured in a car seat must be secured in the vehicle’s seat belt.

 

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