Leonardtown, MD – March 10, 2020 – Motorists in St. Mary’s County are reminded to adhere to Maryland state traffic laws which prohibit the blocking of intersections or skirting around traffic signals.
Sec. 21-1003 of Maryland Vehicle Law states that “a person may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle in an intersection.” In other words, vehicles may not be stopped in an intersection, blocking the right of way for other drivers.
The fine for blocking an intersection is $70.
Furthermore, motorists are not permitted to navigate around signalized intersections to avoid stopping. Sec. 21-201 states “the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic control device may not drive across private property or leave the roadway for the purpose of avoiding the instructions of a traffic control device.”
Leaving the highway to use a side street, or a parking lot to circumvent a traffic signal is illegal.
The fine for avoiding traffic signals at an intersection is $90 and 1 point assessed on a driver’s license or $130 and 3 points on a license if contributing to an accident.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron asks that drivers on local roadways to obey traffic laws and utilize patience on their daily commutes to avoid collisions and unsafe driving behaviors.