2017 Maryland Code
Transportation
Title 22 - Vehicle Laws -- Equipment of Vehicles
Subtitle 3 - Brakes
§ 22-302. Performance ability of brakes
- (a) Requirements. -- Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, on application of the service brake, shall be capable of:
- (1) Developing a braking force that is not less than the percentage of its gross weight tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification;
- (2) Decelerating to a stop from not more than 20 miles an hour at not less than the feet per second tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification; and
- (3) Stopping from a speed of 20 miles an hour in not more than the distance tabulated in subsection (c) of this section for its classification, this distance to be measured from the point at which movement of the service brake pedal or control begins.
- (b) Testing. -- Tests for deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus 1 percent grade), dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material.
- (c) Tabulations. -- The following table sets forth the tabulations referred to in subsection (a) of this section:
I II III IV
Brake sys-
Braking tem applica-
force as a tion and
percentage braking dis-
of gross Deceler- tance in feet
vehicle or ation from an
combination in feet initial speed
Classification of vehicle weight per second of 20 m.p.h.
A Passenger vehicles with a 52.8% 17 25
seating capacity of 10 people
or less including driver, not
having a manufacturer's gross
vehicle weight rating
B-1 All motorcycles 43.5% 14 30
B-2 Single unit vehicles with a 43.5% 14 30
manufacturer's gross vehicle
weight rating of 10,000
pounds or less
C-1 Single unit vehicles with a 43.5% 14 40
manufacturer's gross weight
rating of more than 10,000
pounds
C-2 Combination of a two-axle 43.5% 14 40
towing vehicle and a trailer
with a gross weight of 3,000
pounds or less
C-3 Buses, regardless of the 43.5% 14 40
number of axles, not having a
manufacturer's weight rating
C-4 All combinations of vehicles 43.5% 14 40
in driveaway-towaway
combinations
D All other vehicles and 43.5% 14 50
combinations of vehicles
