We hope your stay in our state is pleasant. Our highways are among the finest and safest in the nation. You can help preserve our outstanding highway safety record and better insure your own safety:
- Stay alert and give driving your full attention.
- Show courtesy to other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists
- Comply with traffic laws and heed all traffic signs, signals and markings
- Don't drive aggressively
Maryland has safe driving laws that protect you
Children
Every child under eight years old must be secured in a U.S. DOT-approved child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller, or weighs more than 65 pounds. Children and young people up to 16 years of age must be secured in seat belts or child safety seats, regardless of their seating position. Children should ride secured in the rear seat. Drivers and front-seat passengers, regardless of their age, must wear seat belts. It is strongly recommended that all occupants wear seat belts.
Motorcycle Drivers
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear U.S. DOT-approved helmets. Drivers must wear eye protection, as well.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Maryland law strictly forbids driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The alcohol limit for DUI is set at .07 blood alcohol concentration, one of the lowest in the nation. Our laws for impaired driving are strictly enforced and our penalties are severe. The minimum lawful drinking age is 21 years.
School Buses
Vehicles must stop for school buses when their red flashers are on (except when the buses are on the opposite side of a highway divided by a barrier or median strip).
Right Turn on Red
After stopping for pedestrians or vehicles, you may make a right turn (or left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street) while the signal is red, except where prohibited.
If You Are in a Collision
Maryland law requires that you stop; exchange drivers licenses, vehicle registration, and insurance information (you can keep this Collison Information Exchange Form in your car); and render aid. If possible, remove your vehicle from travel lanes. Typically, police will NOT investigate an accident if no one is injured and the vehicles can be driven from the scene.