MarylandWicomico County bars standing in designated dangerous road areas
Since June 1, 2026, people in Wicomico County may not stand in road areas the county or a town determines pose serious risks that ordinary care cannot reduce.
What it does
People may not stand in road areas that Wicomico County or a town in the county determines are inherently dangerous. Police may cite a violation only after required warning signs are installed; signs on state highways need state approval.
Argument forKeeping people out of road areas with serious risks that ordinary care cannot reduce could help prevent injuries to pedestrians and people in vehicles.
Argument againstPeople may lose places to stand near roads the county or a town marks dangerous, even though police cannot cite them until warning signs are installed.
More detail
People may not stand in road areas that Wicomico County or a town in the county determines are inherently dangerous. The law applies only in Wicomico County. It covers roadways, shoulders, median dividers, and intersections determined to be inherently dangerous. A road area is inherently dangerous when it poses a serious risk of injury that ordinary care cannot reduce. For state road areas, the county or town must consult the State Highway Administration before making its determination. Police may cite a violation only after the county or town installs signs that warn the public and follow state traffic-control standards. Signs on state highways also require State Highway Administration approval. The law took effect June 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 781Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 13Second Reading Passed
- Apr 13Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Apr 13Favorable Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 23Referred Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Mar 20Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 19Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 19Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and TransportationMinor
- Mar 8
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 28First Reading Environment and TransportationIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportation