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§ 21-310. Drivers prohibited from following another vehicle too closely

West's Annotated Code of MarylandTransportationEffective: October 1, 2021

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Transportation
Title 21. Vehicle Laws--Rules of the Road (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 3. Driving on Right Side of Roadway; Overtaking and Passing; Use of Roadway (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2021
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-310
§ 21-310. Drivers prohibited from following another vehicle too closely
Motor vehicles
(a) The driver of a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the other vehicle and of the traffic on and the condition of the highway.
Trucks
(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, whenever conditions permit, the driver of every truck, while traveling on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district and following any other truck or any other motor vehicle towing another vehicle, shall leave enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
Truck or motor vehicle towing another vehicle must allow space for overtaking vehicles
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, whenever conditions permit, the driver of every motor vehicle towing another vehicle, while traveling on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district and following any other truck or any other motor vehicle towing another vehicle, shall leave enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
Truck or motor vehicle towing another vehicle may overtake and pass other vehicles
(d) A truck or a motor vehicle towing another vehicle may overtake and pass any other vehicle or combination of vehicles.
Caravan or motorcade
(e)(1) This subsection does not apply to a funeral procession.
(2) A motor vehicle being driven on a roadway outside of a business district or a residential district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing another vehicle, shall be driven to allow enough space between each two vehicles or combination of vehicles so that any other vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
Trucks operated in a unified manner; conditions for exception
(f)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the driver of a nonlead truck in a group of trucks may travel without leaving enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space between the trucks if the trucks are:
(i) Traveling in a unified manner with electronically coordinated speed and braking systems; and
(ii) Operating in a reasonable and prudent manner with due regard for the speed of any other vehicles and of the traffic on and the condition of the highway.
(2) The Administration shall adopt regulations to carry out this subsection, including regulations governing:
(i) The number of trucks allowed in a group operating in a unified manner;
(ii) The roadway conditions under which trucks may be operated in a unified manner;
(iii) The required submission of a plan of operation by a person operating a truck in a unified manner; and
(iv) The submission of any other information as required by the Administration for the purpose of evaluating safety issues relevant to the operation of trucks in a unified manner.

Credits

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 472, § 1; Acts 1988, c. 471, § 2; Acts 2021, c. 118, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.
Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-310.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-310, MD TRANS § 21-310
Current with all legislation from the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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