In an effort to promote awareness of state traffic laws, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will be posting 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
Headlights and High Beams
Sec. 22-226. Number of driving lamps required or permitted
(a) …At least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side, at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, except when the vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
Sec. 22-223(b) Approaching oncoming vehicle – Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.
(c) Approaching vehicle from the rear – Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches another vehicle from the rear, within 300 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this title, other than the uppermost distribution of light
The fine for not displaying two lighted front lamps, or driver failure to avoid projecting glaring light within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle or when within 300 feet approaching a vehicle from the rear is $60. Drivers are subject to a traffic stop if they do not dim their high beams to oncoming vehicles.
