Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Traffic Tip Tuesdays: Avoiding Traffic Signals



In an effort to promote awareness of state traffic laws, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office posts excerpts of the 2018-2019 edition of The Maryland Vehicle Law Annotated on Tuesdays.

Adhering to the law will make roadways in St. Mary’s County and in Maryland safer for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, horse-and-buggy operators and pedestrians.

#TrafficTipTuesdays

Avoiding a Traffic-Control Device:

Sec. 21-201.(a)(2) Traffic Signs, Signals and Markings

“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.”

This illegal driving behavior is sometimes observed on northbound Three Notch Road (Route 235) during the evening commute.

The fine for avoiding a traffic-control device is $90 and one point assessed on a driver’s license or $130 and three points if contributing to an accident.