Baltimore City Council
File #: 18-0251    Version: 0 Name: Obstructing Traffic in an Intersection - $125 Fine
Type: Ordinance Status: Enacted
File created: 6/4/2018 In control: City Council
On agenda: Final action: 8/10/2018
Enactment #: 18-159
Title: Obstructing Traffic in an Intersection - $125 Fine For the purpose of changing the fine for obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic within an intersection or a marked crosswalk from $250 to $125; clarifying and conforming related provisions; and generally relating to fines for obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic.
Sponsors: President Young, Ryan Dorsey, John T. Bullock, Leon F. Pinkett, III, Zeke Cohen, Mary Pat Clarke, Robert Stokes, Sr., Sharon Green Middleton, Shannon Sneed, Brandon M. Scott, Kristerfer Burnett, Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer
Indexes: Fines, Intersections, Obstructing, Traffic
Attachments: 1. 18-0251~1st Reader, 2. Finance 18-0251, 3. Law 18-0251, 4. DOT 18-0251, 5. 18-0251~3rd Reader, 6. Completed File_18-0251

Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.

 

                     * Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.

                     The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.

                     Introductory*

 

                     City of Baltimore

                     Council Bill          

                                                                                                                                                           

Introduced by: President Young

                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

                     A Bill Entitled

 

An Ordinance concerning

title

Obstructing Traffic in an Intersection - $125 Fine

For the purpose of changing the fine for obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic within an intersection or a marked crosswalk from $250 to $125; clarifying and conforming related provisions; and generally relating to fines for obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic.

body

 

By repealing and reordaining, with amendments

Article 31 - Transit and Traffic

Section(s) 36-4(2) and 35-5(3)

Baltimore City Code

(Edition 2000)

 

By adding

Article 31 - Transit and Traffic

Section(s) 36-4.1

Baltimore City Code

(Edition 2000)

 

Section 1.  Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:

 

                     Baltimore City Code

 

                     Article 31.  Transit and Traffic

 

                     Subtitle 36.  Parking, etc., Fines, Penalties, and Procedures

 

§ 36-4.  $250 fines.

 

(2)                     Obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic [within an intersection or a marked crosswalk or] by a commercial vehicle is punishable by a fine of $250.

 

§ 36-4.1.  $125 fines.

Obstructing or impeding the free flow of traffic within an intersection or a marked crosswalk is punishable by a fine of $125.

 

§ 36-5.  $100 fines.                     

 

(3)                     (i)                     Parking, stopping, or standing in a manner that obstructs or impedes the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic is punishable by a fine of $100, subject to the requirements of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (3).

 

(ii)                     (A) Except as provided in sub-subparagraph (B) of this subparagraph (ii), the

Transportation Department may not issue a citation for this offense unless:

 

1.                     it first issues a written warning, ordering the obstruction or impediment to be removed within 15 minutes of the warning; and

 

2.                     the obstruction or impediment is not removed within the specified time.

 

(B) This subparagraph (ii) does not apply, and a citation may be issued

without a prior warning, on a street marked as a snow emergency route at any time between the hours of 7 a.m and 9:30 a.m. or between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

 

(iii) This paragraph (3) does not apply to an obstruction or impediment:

 

(A) [within an intersection or a marked crosswalk or] by a commercial vehicle, as provided in § 36-4(2) of this subtitle; [or]

 

(B) along a block face abutting or across from the grounds of a school, as provided in § 36-4(3) of this subtitle; or

 

(D) within an intersection or a marked crosswalk as provided in § 36-4.1 of this subtitle.

 

Section 2.  And be it further ordained, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.

 

Section 3.  And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.