Maryland Motorcycle Laws: What To Know
Maryland motorcycle laws are similar to those in surrounding states, and the importance of these laws is evident. But it’s imperative to be completely aware of what is expected of motorcycle riders in the state of Maryland. By doing so, you can help avoid both injury and unnecessary legal trouble following an accident. Motorcycle accidents tend to be very serious given the lack of protection the rider has. These accidents can cause everything from broken bones to even more serious injuries like spine damage or traumatic brain injuries. Knowing all of this it’s essential to understand what responsibilities motorcyclists have both the motorcycle laws in Maryland and to fellow drivers on the road. If you’ve been involved in an accident and would like more information regarding these laws and how they may apply to your situation, contact our Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
What Motorcycle Equipment Is Required in Maryland?
In addition to the requirement that all motorcycle riders must wear a helmet, the motorcycle laws in Maryland also require a number of additional equipment needed for motorcycles to be legal. These equipment laws are worth remembering because motorcyclists are only protected by the clothing they wear and their ability to be seen on the road; they only have minimum protection from their vehicle. While riding through Maryland, you must adhere to the following Maryland motorcycle equipment laws in order to avoid fines. Below are some of those requirements:
-
- Two brakes
- At least one headlight
- A red rear light
- A red brake light
- A white light that illuminates the license plate
- A horn
- Two mirrors
- Two footrests for the operator
- Two footrests for a passenger
What Are The Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Maryland?
Helmet laws may seem like a burden to some motorcyclists in Maryland. But there is clear and proven evidence as to why Maryland motorcycle helmet laws are so strict. The World Health Organization tells us that wearing a motorcycle helmet is the single most effective way to reduce the chance of serious injury or wrongful death in motorcycle accidents.
For years, Maryland has had a universal motorcycle helmet law in effect, meaning that helmets are not a recommendation, they are the law. A universal motorcycle helmet law requires all riders to wear a helmet while they are riding on public roads, with no exceptions. As of 2020, 18 states, and Washington DC, have universal motorcycle helmet laws in effect. Maryland motorcycle helmet laws while on a motorcycle require all riders to wear an approved helmet as stated in Section 21-1306 of the Transportation Article of the MD Code. Not to mention, eye protection is also required unless the motorcycle has a windshield. This is a common law that many motorcyclists overlook, but its importance is just as evident.
Furthermore, motorcycle helmets must meet the state Motor Vehicle Administration’s requirements. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration uses the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 as its minimum standard for compliant helmets. To make sure your motorcycle helmet meets the necessary protocol and is compliant with Maryland legislation, look for a factory-applied label reading “Department of Transportation (DOT)”. If your helmet doesn’t include this label, ensure a label that shows the month and year the helmet was made is visible on the inside.
Is Lane Splitting Legal In Maryland?
What exactly is lane splitting? Lane splitting allows motorcycles, electric scooters, and other small vehicles to ride between lanes during slow or standstill traffic. It is a common practice in other parts of the world, but as of now, only legal in California here in the US. California is the only state where lane splitting is explicitly legal. In Utah, motorcyclists can pass between 2-lanes of traffic, but only when traffic is stopped (a practice called “filtering”). Both Oregon and Washington are considering bills that would legalize lane splitting.
However, this practice is not legal in Maryland, and as of 2021, there has been no significant progress to activate a change in this law anytime soon. In fact, most American drivers are not used to lane splitting activity on the road so if you take a chance and split lanes anyway, you put yourself at great risk of an accident.
Additional Rules For Operating A Motorcycle In Maryland
In addition to laws requiring specific motorcycle safety equipment, Maryland motorcycle law also includes several rules for operating a motorcycle in Maryland. Any Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you the importance of these laws when seeking compensation for a motorcycle crash. If all Maryland motorcycle laws are not met by the victim, insurance companies will do all that they can to exploit this and avoid paying damages. Here are the laws for operating a motorcycle in Maryland. The laws state that motorcyclists may only:
-
- Ride a motorcycle while straddling the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side.
- Ride a motorcycle that has a permanent seat attached to the motorcycle.
- Carry another person on the motorcycle unless it is equipped to carry more than one person and has a permanent or firmly attached rear seat.
- In general, motorcyclists may not carry any packages or passengers that interfere with their ability to keep both hands on the handlebars.
Injured In An Accident? Speak With Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Motorcycle safety and obedience to traffic laws is a crucial part of riding a motorcycle. Especially if you’ve been injured in an accident, the other party will exhaust all options to prove that you were not following the motorcycle laws in Maryland. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident in Maryland, it’s recommended that you contact our motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible. We will investigate the accident and work tirelessly to hold the at-fault party accountable for your injuries or loss. Contact Hyatt & Goldbloom today for a free consultation.
