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§ 21-405. Duty of drivers relating to emergency vehicles

West's Annotated Code of MarylandTransportationEffective: October 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Transportation
Title 21. Vehicle Laws--Rules of the Road (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 4. Right-of-Way (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2022
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-405
§ 21-405. Duty of drivers relating to emergency vehicles
Currentness
Duty to yield right of way
(a) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall yield the right-of-way.
Duty to drive immediately to edge or curb of roadway
(b) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall drive immediately to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the edge or curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection.
Duty to stop and stay in position until emergency vehicle has passed
(c) On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall stop and stay in this position until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Drivers restricted from passing emergency or police vehicles
(d) A driver, when proceeding in the same direction as an emergency or police vehicle, may not pass an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22-218 of this article or a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal unless:
(1) The emergency vehicle has stopped; or
(2) Otherwise directed by a police officer.
Lane changes required by drivers of motor vehicles
(e)(1) This subsection applies to a stopped, standing, or parked vehicle that is:
(i) 1. On a highway;
2. Using a visual signal that meets the requirements of § 22-218 or § 22-218.2 of this article; and
3. A. A commercial motor vehicle providing emergency maintenance to a disabled vehicle;
B. An emergency vehicle;
C. A service vehicle as defined under § 22-201 of this article;
D. A tow truck that is properly registered in accordance with § 13-920 of this article; or
E. A waste or recycling collection vehicle; or
(ii) 1. On a highway; and
2. Displaying:
A. Hazard warning lights;
B. Road flares; or
C. Other caution signals, including traffic cones, caution signs, or nonvehicular warning lights.
(2) Unless otherwise directed by a police officer or a traffic control device, the driver of a motor vehicle that approaches from the rear a stopped, standing, or parked vehicle to which this subsection applies shall:
(i) If practicable and not otherwise prohibited and with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped, standing, or parked vehicle; or
(ii) If the driver of the motor vehicle is unable to make a lane change in accordance with item (i) of this paragraph, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.
Duty of driver of emergency vehicle to drive with care
(f) This section does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.

Credits

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1980, c. 825; Acts 1981, c. 169; Acts 1986, c. 472, § 1; Acts 2010, c. 540, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 541, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, c. 406, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2017, c. 55, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2018, c. 544, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2018, c. 545, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2022, c. 382, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
MD Code, Transportation, § 21-405, MD TRANS § 21-405
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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