Part 1 – Obstructing Traffic

For the purposes of this section, a winter-type mud and snow tire is any new, recapped, retreaded, or rebuilt tire for the rear wheels of motor vehicles or trackless trolleys having anti-skid patterns impressed or cut into the treaded surfaces to form bars, buttons, or blocks which may contain perforations, ingredients, or metallic elements specially designed to give effective traction on snow-, mud-, or ice-covered streets; and which tire is subject to approval as to type and condition by the Director of Transportation.

It is unlawful for any non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of passengers for a fee or charge, including the vehicles commonly referred to as buses, trackless trolley, and taxicabs, to be or operate on any street or public place in Baltimore City during the period in any year commencing on November 1 and ending on the following April 1 without being properly equipped with winter-type mud and snow tires.

Any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalties provided in <cite data-path="|31">this article</cite>, and a violation as to each and every vehicle is a separate violation.

Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director of Transportation may adopt rules and regulations to require that, whenever certain named streets in the City are covered or partially covered with snow, sleet, or freezing rain, no non-fixed wheel vehicle for the public transportation of 10 or more people may operate on those streets in a manner that stalls, impedes, or obstructs traffic, if that stalling, impeding, or obstructing is caused by the failure to equip the vehicle with effective skid chains or effective snow tread tires.

Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., no vehicle shall be placed to load thereon or unload therefrom in which the rails of any railroad or street railway company are laid, so as to obstruct or hinder the passing of cars of any such railroad or street railway.

Nor at any other time shall any such vehicle be permitted to obstruct such tracks for a longer period than may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of loading or unloading said vehicle.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency repairs, which are defined as repairs necessary as the result of an unexpected malfunction or breakdown and which are necessary in order to move the vehicle safely and without damage to same.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to: