ALERT: New MD Traffic Law – Cars Must STOP at Broken Traffic Signals

by | Sep 19, 2012 | Industry-Wide Topics

Which of the following do you do when you approach a malfunctioning traffic signal?

  1. Come to a complete stop and yield the right of way to any cars already in the intersection or pedestrians already in the crosswalk before proceeding.
  2. Slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution, yielding if necessary for pedestrians or traffic.
  3. Continue through the intersection if you are on a main thoroughfare or stop if you are on a side street approaching a main thoroughfare.

Well, chances are if you are a safe driver, you chose #1.  Coming October 1st, all drivers will need to make the same choice to avoid pretty hefty penalties because it will be the law.

New traffic legislation goes into effect for the state of Maryland on October 1, 2012.  The law requires all drivers to come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and traffic in the intersection at malfunctioning traffic signals.

To help enforce this new law, there will be penalties in effect for drivers who don’t comply.  The penalty is $90 and two points on your drivers license, however, if an accident occurs, the penalty increases to $130 and three points – nothing to sneeze at.

Just as embracing automotive preventive maintenance practices can keep you safe and your car on the road, so can embracing safe driving practices.  We want to be sure all of our readers stay safe and informed on traffic legislation that can impact them.

photo courtesy of andyathlon

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About the Author

About Brian England

Brian England, the current president of BA Auto Care (formerly British American Auto Care), got his start with an auto apprenticeship in a small town in northwest of London. He came to the U.S. in 1972 to work for a Land Rover dealer in Rockville, MD. A few years later, he started British American Auto Care with his wife, Jennifer. Brian is a big believe in preventative maintenance, and his philosophy is to encourage and educate drivers on the benefits of a regular maintenance plan.