NEW MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2013

NEW MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS

 EFFECTIVE 10/01/2013 

SEAT BELTS AND CHILD SAFETY SEATS

This bill increases the penalties associated with violations of the seat belt and child safety seat laws from $25 to $50. The bill also removes the “floater exemption” that allowed a driver to transport more children in a vehicle than the number of proper securing locations. 

Finally, the bill expands the adult passenger (at least 16 years of age) seat belt requirement to “ALL POSITIONS” in the vehicle, but makes violation in a back seat a secondary violation, enforceable only when the driver is detained for a suspected violation of another provision of law. 

USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE

This bill makes the handheld use of cell phone by a driver enforceable as a “PRIMARY” offense, meaning that the police may stop an individual for these offenses without the driver committing any other offense. The bill also increases the maximum fines applicable to violations by drivers who are 18 years of age or older to $75 for a first violation, $125 for a second violation, and $175 for a third to subsequent violation. 

However, the bill prohibits imposition of points for violations by drivers who are 18 years of age or older unless the violation contributes to an accident.

Somerset County (MD) Sheriff's Office