2013 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
§ 25-102 - Powers of local authorities

§25-102.

(a) The provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law do not prevent a local authority, in the reasonable exercise of its police power, from exercising the following powers as to highways under its jurisdiction:

(1) Subject to the provisions of § 21-1003.1 of this article, regulating or prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles;

(2) Regulating traffic by means of police officers or traffic control devices;

(3) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblies on highways;

(4) Designating particular highways or separate roadways as one-way highways and requiring that all vehicles on them move in one specified direction;

(5) Regulating the speed and weight of vehicles in public parks;

(6) Designating any highway as a through highway or designating any intersection as a stop intersection or a yield intersection;

(7) Restricting the use of highways as provided in Title 24 of this article;

(8) Regulating the operation of bicycles, requiring them to be registered, and imposing a registration fee;

(9) Regulating or prohibiting the turning of vehicles or specified types of vehicles at intersections;

(10) Altering speed limits as provided in Title 21, Subtitle 8 of this article;

(11) Regulating through truck traffic and prohibiting trucks from using any highway or alley that is not designated or maintained as a part or extension of the State or federal highway system, provided the local authority has designated an adequate alternate route for diverted truck traffic;

(12) Adopting any other traffic regulations as specifically authorized in the Maryland Vehicle Law;

(13) Regulating taxi stands, including taxi stands in the middle of a block;

(14) (i) Except in Garrett County, designating a certain portion of highways upon which snowmobiles may travel for the sole purpose of gaining access to snowmobile trails. However, only those highways which divide snowmobile trails and which would otherwise obstruct direct access between snowmobile trails may be so designated by the local authority; and

(ii) In Garrett County, permitting a person to cross a highway on a snowmobile at a right angle, and designating a certain portion of highways upon which snowmobiles may travel for the sole purpose of gaining access to snowmobile trails;

(15) Requiring a motorized minibike to be permitted by the local authority, and imposing a permit fee;

(16) In Allegany County, designating crossings on county highways where a person operating a golf cart may cross the highway for continued access to any portion of a golf course; and

(17) Restricting use of a low speed vehicle on a highway.

(b) (1) Unless it first obtains written approval from the State Highway Administration, a local authority may not place or maintain any stop sign or traffic control signal that requires the traffic on any State highway to stop before entering or crossing any intersecting highway.

(2) Unless it first obtains written permission from the State Highway Administration, a local authority may not place or maintain lighting along or at an intersection with a State highway.

(c) An ordinance or regulation adopted under items (4), (5), (6), (7), or (10) of subsection (a) of this section is not effective until a traffic control device giving notice of the local traffic regulations is placed on or at the entrances to the highway or its affected part.

§ 25-102 - 1. Off-the-road motorcycles

(a) "Off-the-road motorcycle" defined. --

(1) In this section, "off-the-road motorcycle" means a motorcycle not otherwise registered under this article.

(2) "Off-the-road motorcycle" includes motorcycles designed for off-the-road operation, motorcycles not otherwise eligible for registration under this article, and motorcycles commonly referred to as "dirt bikes".

(b) Regulation. -- Each county and Baltimore City may regulate the operation of off-the-road motorcycles, require them to be registered, and impose a registration fee for them.

§ 25-102 - 2. Motorized passenger scooter -- Use in Ocean City.

(a) Definitions. --

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) (i) "Licensed driver" means an individual who holds a driver's license of any class issued by the State or, if the individual is a nonresident of the State, issued by another state or country.

(ii) "Licensed driver" does not include an individual who holds a learner's permit or a provisional license issued by the State or, if the individual is a nonresident of the State, the equivalent license issued by another state or country.

(3) (i) "Motorized passenger scooter" means a nonpedal vehicle that:

1. Has a cockpit containing a seat for the operator and a passenger;

2. Has three wheels, of which one is 10 inches or more in diameter;

3. Has a motor:

A. With a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less; or

B. If the motor is an internal combustion engine, with a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less; and

4. Is equipped with an automatic transmission.

(ii) "Motorized passenger scooter" does not include a vehicle that has been manufactured for off-road use, including a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle.

(b) In general. -- Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law regarding the operation of a vehicle on a highway in the State, in the municipal boundaries of Ocean City, a licensed driver may operate a motorized passenger scooter on:

(1) A local highway; and

(2) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, any portion of a State highway designated by the State Highway Administration as a bicycle way.

(c) Use on bicycle way. -- The State Highway Administration may prohibit the operation of a motorized passenger scooter on a bicycle way under the jurisdiction of the State Highway Administration if it determines that:

(1) An occupant of a motorized passenger scooter is placed at an unacceptable risk of injury on the bicycle way; or

(2) The operation of a motorized passenger scooter is a threat to the safety or mobility of others along the bicycle way.