Motorists in Maryland should change lanes or decelerate when approaching any automobile stopped on a freeway with hazard lights flashing or with flares out, based on a brand new state regulation that takes impact Saturday.
Maryland
New Maryland law requires motorists to make room for stopped vehicles
The regulation was expanded to guard any automobile stopped or parked on a freeway with its hazard lights on or with street flares, site visitors cones or different warning indicators out. Approaching drivers should change lanes away from the stopped automobile to create extra room or, if they will’t, gradual to an unspecified “affordable and prudent” pace.
A primary offense is punishable by a $110 advantageous and one level on a driver’s license. Penalties enhance if the violation contributes to a collision.
“We’re nonetheless seeing folks being hit and injured,” mentioned Ragina Ali, spokeswoman for the motorist advocacy group AAA Mid-Atlantic, which advocated for the regulation. “Being on the facet of the street is a harmful place to be.”
A AAA survey final 12 months of Maryland first responders, tow truck drivers and roadside emergency support staff discovered greater than 90 % mentioned they’d had a “close to miss” or “had their life threatened” by a motorist passing too carefully. Statewide, Ali mentioned, 38 state roadside help autos have been hit since 2019 whereas serving to stranded motorists.
Motorists who break down ought to attempt to get off the freeway or, if they will’t, pull as far off as doable and stay within the automobile whereas calling for assist, Ali mentioned.
Maryland is the eighth state to use its regulation to all autos, based on AAA.