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§ 21-201. Obedience to traffic control devices required

West's Annotated Code of MarylandTransportationEffective: October 1, 2010

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Transportation
Title 21. Vehicle Laws--Rules of the Road (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 2. Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2010
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-201
§ 21-201. Obedience to traffic control devices required
Currentness
In general
(a)(1) Subject to the exceptions granted in this title to the driver of an emergency vehicle, the driver of any vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall obey the instructions of any traffic control device applicable to the vehicle and placed in accordance with the Maryland Vehicle Law.1
(2) 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.
Traffic control devices not in proper position or illegible
(b)(1) If a provision of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of an ordinance or regulation of a local authority requires a traffic control device, the provision is unenforceable against an alleged violator if, at the time and place of the alleged violation, the traffic control device is not in proper position and legible enough to be seen by an ordinarily observant individual.
(2) Unless a provision of the Maryland Vehicle Law or of an ordinance or regulation of a local authority states that a traffic control device is required, the provision is effective and enforceable even if no traffic control device is in place.
Presumption that devices placed by official act or direction of lawful authority
(c) Unless the contrary is established by competent evidence, if a traffic control device is placed in a position approximately meeting the requirements of the Maryland Vehicle Law, the device is presumed to have been placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority.
Presumption that devices comply with vehicle law requirements
(d) Unless the contrary is established by competent evidence, if a traffic control device is placed in accordance with the Maryland Vehicle Law and purports to meet the lawful requirements governing these devices, the device is presumed to meet the requirements of the Maryland Vehicle Law.

Credits

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1995, c. 536, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, c. 315, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997; Acts 2002, c. 549, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002; Acts 2010, c. 491, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 492, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010.
Formerly Art. 66 ½, § 11-201.

Footnotes

1
Transportation, § 11-101 et seq.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-201, MD TRANS § 21-201
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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