Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
City of Baltimore
Council Bill 22-0247
(First Reader)
Introduced by: Councilmember Schleifer, Porter, Costello, Torrence, Glover, Stokes, Middleton, Conway, Cohen
Introduced and read first time: June 13, 2022
Assigned to: Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee Referred to the following agencies:City Solicitor, Department of Finance, Department of Transportation, Baltimore City Parking Authority, Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore City Police
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Obstructing Street - Racing or Stunt Driving
For the purpose of prohibiting the obstruction of public streets under certain circumstances; establishing certain penalties; defining certain terms; and generally relating to obstructing a City street.
body
By repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Sections 40-14(e)(3) and 41-14(2)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
By adding
Article 19 - Police Ordinances
Section 50-1
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 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 40. Environmental Control Board
§40-14. Violations to which subtitle applies.
(e) Provisions and penalties enumerated.
. . .
(3) Article 19. Police Ordinances
. . .
§ 50-1. Obstructing street: racing or stunt driving $1,000
. . .
Subtitle 41. Civil Citations
§ 41-14. Offenses to which subtitle applies - Listing.
. . .
(2) Article 19. Police Ordinances
. . .
§ 50-1. Obstructing street: racing or stunt driving $1,000
. . .
Article 19. Police Ordinances
Subtitle 50. Street Regulations
§ 50-1. Obstructing street: racing or stunt driving.
(a) Definitions.
(1) In general.
In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) Doing doughnuts.
“Doing doughnuts” means purposefully driving a motor vehicle in a tight, curved or circular direction in a continuous motion, often leaving tire marks on the surface where the maneuver was performed.
(3) Non-driver participant.
(i) In general.
“Non-driver participant” means any individual not driving a motor vehicle who is knowingly present at an illegal vehicle race or stunt driving event for the purpose of actively taking part in the event.
(ii) Inclusions.
“Non-driver participant” includes an individual who is:
(A) riding in a race vehicle as a passenger;
(B) assisting the organizers or drivers in carrying out or promoting the event; or
(C) exchanging money or anything of value with any driver, car
owner, or other participant in connection with the event.
(iii) Exclusion.
“Non-driver participant” does not include an individual who is a bystander, passerby, or passive observer.
(4) Racing.
“Racing” means driving a motor vehicle at a high speed to compete against the driver of another motor vehicle.
(5) Stunt driving.
(i) In general.
“Stunt driving” means any intentional and unnecessary action taken while driving that could endanger the life or safety of another person or cause property damage.
(ii) Inclusions.
“Stunt driving” includes purposefully:
(A) driving with a person in the trunk of the motor vehicle;
(B) driving while the driver is not sitting in the driver’s seat of the
motor vehicle;
(C) driving to prevent another vehicle from passing;
(D) spinning a vehicle or causing it to circle, without maintaining
control over the vehicle;
(E) doing doughnuts;
(F) while turning, causing 1 or more of a motor vehicle’s tires to
lose traction with the surface the vehicle is driving on;
(G) without justification, driving as close as possible to another
vehicle, pedestrian, or fixed object;
(H) lifting 1 or more of a vehicle’s tires from the surface the
vehicle is driving on, including driving a motorcycle with only 1 wheel in contact with the ground;
(I) driving a motor vehicles side by side or in proximity to another
motor vehicle, while 1 of the motor vehicles occupies a lane of traffic or other portion of the road intended for use by oncoming traffic for a period of time that is longer than is reasonably required to pass another motor vehicle; and
(J) stopping or slowing down in a manner that interferes with the movement of another vehicle by cutting off its passage on the road or causes another vehicle to stop or slow down in circumstances where the other vehicle would not ordinarily do so.
(b) Prohibited conduct.
No person, including a non-driver participant, may in any manner obstruct any street, lane, sidewalk, footway, or alley in the City or any of their gutters for the purpose of:
(1) stunt driving; or
(2) racing a motor vehicle.
(c) Enforcement by citation.
(1) In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this section may be enforced by issuance of:
(i) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or
(ii) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.
(2) The issuance of a citation to enforce this section does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
(d) Penalties.
Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1000 or to imprisonment for not longer than 12 months, or both.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.