| Effective Oct. 1, it is a primary offense for drivers to use hand-held cellphones while driving, expanding the ban on hand-held cellphones while driving. Police can pull drivers over without needing an unrelated violation in order to make the stop. Fines for first-time violators will increase from $40 to $75. Fines for a second violation will be $125 and $175 for a third or subsequent violation, police said.
Maryland also requires all motor vehicle occupants to wear seat belts and if a person transports more people in a vehicle than they have belts, it is against the law. Fines increase from $25 to $50 per unbelted passenger.
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The new law expands the adult passenger (at least 16 years of age) seat belt requirement to all positions in the vehicle.
In addition, the mandatory use of child safety seats applies to the transportation of all children younger than age 8, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller.
These new laws were enacted to help reduce the number of accidents occurring due to distracted driving and to reduce injuries resulting from unrestrained occupants. |
