2013 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
§ 21-803 - Alteration of maximum speed limit by local authorities

§21-803.

(a) (1) If, on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, a local authority determines that any maximum speed limit specified in this subtitle is greater or less than reasonable or safe under existing conditions on any part of a highway in its jurisdiction, it may establish a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit for that part of the highway, which may:

(i) Decrease the limit at an intersection;

(ii) Increase the limit in an urban district to not more than 50 miles an hour;

(iii) Decrease the limit in an urban district; or

(iv) Decrease the limit outside an urban district to not less than 25 miles an hour.

(2) An engineering and traffic investigation is not required to conform a posted maximum speed limit in effect on December 31, 1974, to a different limit specified in § 21-801.1(b) of this subtitle.

(b) In school zones designated and posted by the local authorities of any county:

(1) The county may decrease the maximum speed limit to 15 miles per hour during school hours, provided the county pays the cost of placing and maintaining the necessary signs; and

(2) Any municipality within each county may decrease the maximum speed limit in a school zone within the municipality to 15 miles per hour during school hours, provided the municipality pays the cost of placing and maintaining the necessary signs.

(c) An altered maximum speed limit established under this section is effective when posted on appropriate signs giving notice of the limit.

(d) Except in Baltimore City, any alteration by a local authority of a maximum speed limit on a part or extension of a State highway is not effective until it is approved by the State Highway Administration.

(e) (1) If a local authority determines that any maximum speed limit specified in this subtitle is greater than reasonable or safe in an alley in its jurisdiction, the local authority may establish a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit for the alley.

(2) The local authority shall post a speed limit established under this subsection on appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit.

§ 21-803 - 1. School zones

(a) Establishment. --

(1) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, within a half-mile radius of any school, the State Highway Administration or a local authority:

(i) May establish a school zone and maximum speed limits applicable in the school zone; and

(ii) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, may provide that fines are to be doubled for speeding violations within the school zone.

(2) (i) The State Highway Administration may establish a school zone under paragraph (1) of this subsection on any State highway or, at the request of a local authority, on any highway under the jurisdiction of the local authority.

(ii) A local authority may establish a school zone under paragraph (1) of this subsection on any highway under its jurisdiction.

(iii) In Prince George's County, a municipal corporation may establish a school zone under paragraph (1) of this subsection on any highway that:

1. Is not under State jurisdiction; and

2. Is located within the corporate limits of the municipal corporation.

(b) Signs. --

(1) On each highway where a school zone is established under this section, in accordance with specifications of the State Highway Administration, the State Highway Administration or local authority:

(i) Shall place signs designating the school zone; and

(ii) May place other traffic control devices, including timed flashing warning lights.

(2) The signs designating a school zone shall indicate the maximum speed limit applicable in the school zone.

(3) The local authority shall pay the State Highway Administration the cost of placing and maintaining signs and other traffic control devices on highways under the jurisdiction of the local authority when the State Highway Administration establishes the school zone at the local authority's request.

(4) In Prince George's County, a municipal corporation shall be responsible for the cost of placing and maintaining signs and other traffic control devices for a school zone that the municipal corporation establishes on a highway within its corporate limits.

(c) When limit effective. -- A maximum speed limit in a school zone established under this section is in effect when posted on appropriate signs giving notice of the limit.

(d) Speeding. -- The fines for speeding in a school zone are double the amount that would otherwise apply if, in accordance with specifications adopted by the State Highway Administration:

(1) (i) A sign designating a school zone under this section is equipped with timed flashing warning lights and indicates that fines for speeding are doubled when the lights are activated; and

(ii) The lights are activated at the time the violation occurs; or

(2) A sign designating a school zone under this section indicates that fines for speeding are doubled during school hours.

(e) Speed limit. -- A person may not drive a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding the posted speed limit within a school zone established in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.

(f) Crossing guard. -- In any school zone where a school crossing guard is posted to assist students in crossing a highway, the maximum speed limit may not exceed 35 miles per hour in the school zone during the hours posted on signs designating the school zone.

§ 21-803 - 2. Establishment of speed limits on school and college property

Each county board of education, the Board of School Commissioners of Baltimore City, the board of trustees for each community college, the board of regents for Morgan State University, the board of trustees for St. Mary's College, and the board of regents of the University System of Maryland may establish appropriate speed limits for safe travel on property under their jurisdiction. Such speed limits shall be posted on appropriate signs on the property, and a person may not drive a vehicle on such property at a speed that exceeds these limits.