Maryland Motorcycle and ATV Laws May Be Changing Shortly
Saturday, February 28th, 2009There are seven bills pending in the Maryland General Assembly that directly impact motorcycle and ATV riders
The hearing dates and times vary but all hearings take place at the following location:
Maryland General Assembly
90 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
PENDING MOTORCYCLE BILLS
Senate Bill 766 - Vehicle Laws - Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Riders - Exceptions
If this bill is passed, the current law will be revised to make it legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if you are at least 21 years old and have either had your motorcycle license for two years or successfully completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved motorcycle-rider course. The effect of this revision will then be reviewed in 3 years and adjustments made accordingly.
Hearing: March 10th at 1:00 p.m.
Link to bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0766.htm
Senate Bill 784 - Vehicle Laws - Motorcycle at a Red Signal - Affirmative Defense
Some traffic lights are controlled by sensors and motorcycles may not be detected by these sensors. This bill, if passed, will make it legal for a motorcycle operator to use their inability to trip the sensor as a defense should they be charged with a violation for going through a red light. Certain conditions apply such as no other vehicles were there capable of tripping the sensor; the motorcycle remained stopped for at least two minutes or one complete cycle of the traffic signal; and no pedestrians were attempting to cross the intersection. (Note: Just to be clear, this bill does NOT make it OK for motorcycles to go through red lights and DOES NOT guarantee that if a motorcyclist relies on this defense the ticket will be dismissed. This bill merely provides for the possibility.)
Hearing: March 10th at 1:00 p.m.
Link to bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0784.htm
House Bill 877 - Vehicle Laws - Motorcycle at a Red Signal - Affirmative Defense
This is the house version of Senate Bill 784.
Hearing: March 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
Link to bill: http://house.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB0877.htm
PENDING ATV BILLS
Senate Bill 547 – All-Terrain Vehicles - Protective Equipment
If this bill is passed, there will be a law in place requiring all ATV riders to wear a helmet and eye protection.
Hearing: March 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
Link to bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0547.htm
Senate Bill 548 - Vehicle Laws - All-Terrain Vehicles - Safety Standards and Training
If this bill is passed, anyone under the age of 18 will be required to successfully complete an ATV Safety Course and the State will determine course content and approve course instructors. This law also prohibits anyone under the age of 6 from riding on an ATV. In addition, it requires that individuals conform to the age recommendations stated on ATV labels and it further provides that if there is no age recommendation label on an ATV then the following restrictions apply: 1) an individual under the age of 12 may not exceed 70cc and 2) an individual under the age of 16 may not exceed 90cc
Hearing: March 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0548.htm
House Bill 817 - Vehicle Laws - All-Terrain Vehicles - Safety Standards and Training
This is the house version of Senate Bill 548.
Hearing: March 3rdth at 1:00 p.m.
Link to bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB0817.htm
House Bill 1169 - All-Terrain Vehicles - Protective Equipment
This is the house version of Senate Bill 547.
Hearing: March 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB1169.htm
ABATE of Maryland will be there fighting for your rights. I know they would appreciate you coming to the hearings to show your support for them and if you want to take it a step further and testify at the hearings contact ABATE of Maryland directly (http://abateofmd.org/).
If anyone feels compelled to provide additional support to ABATE by testifying at the hearings, they should contact ABATE of Maryland directly.