Sec. 31-9C. Traffic Control Signals and Devices.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 31-9C (2026)
Sec. 31-9C. Traffic Control Signals and Devices.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Legislative findings. The County Council finds and declares that:
(1)
In 2016, the Montgomery County Council passed Resolution No. 18-390 supporting Vision Zero and the policies and investments necessary to achieve it by 2030. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.
(2)
Progress has been made to reduce injuries and deaths on our roadways due to more sidewalk installations, dedicated bike lanes, automated traffic enforcement, and other traffic calming techniques that decrease safety risks for non-motorists and motorists alike. While we have made advancements in our safety investments for pedestrians and cyclists in the County, residents in our equity-emphasis areas are still more likely to experience an injury or fatality on our roads.
(3)
Since 2020, 41 pedestrians and bicyclists have been killed by motorists, and over 1,400 have been injured. In 2022 alone, 19 non-motorists died and 574 were hit.
(4)
Since 2015, 64 percent of all pedestrian-involved crashes occurred at intersections. For bicyclists, 74 percent of all incidents occurred at intersections.
(5)
Ensuring the health and safety of 1.1 million residents will continue to be a top priority for the Montgomery County government. By implementing evidence-based measures and maximizing resources to areas in critical need, more lives can be saved.
(b)
Definitions. As used in this Section:
Department means the Department of Transportation.
Director means the Director of Transportation or the Director’s designee.
Downtown area has the same meaning as stated in Section 49-31.
Leading pedestrian interval means a traffic control device that:
(1)
allows a pedestrian to establish a presence in the crosswalk before vehicles are given a green indication; and
(2)
has specifications in accordance with the most recent edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Highways and Streets.
Town center area has the same meaning as stated in Section 49-31.
(c)
Signage – required. The Department must erect signage that indicates “No Right Turn on Red” at County-owned signalized intersections located:
(1)
in a downtown area; and
(2)
in a town center area.
(d)
Right turn on red – prohibited. A driver of a motor vehicle must not make a right turn on a red signal as marked by a posted sign under subsection (c).
(e)
Leading pedestrian interval – required. The Director must install or cause to be installed a leading pedestrian interval at every crosswalk of a County-owned signalized intersection located:
(1)
in a downtown area;
(2)
in a town center area; and
(3)
at the closest intersection within 1,300 feet in each direction of an access point of a school, park, rail, library, bus rapid transit station, or community center frontage.
(f)
Exemption. The requirements of subsection (c) or (e) do not apply at a signalized intersection if the Director determines that installing a “no right turn on red” restrictions or leading pedestrian interval would significantly impair public safety.
(g)
Annual Reporting. By July 1 of each year, the Director must transmit to the Council a report that includes:
(1)
a rationale or evaluation, for any intersection where the Director determined, under subsection (f), the installation of “no right turn on red” signage or a leading pedestrian interval is exempt; and
(2)
the number of referrals made by the Department to a municipality, the State Highway Administration, Montgomery County Public Schools, or any agency requesting an infrastructure safety review for each traffic collision that occurred on a non-County maintained roadway.
(3)
The report must be updated and resubmitted to the Council annually to account for any changes in circumstances or recommendations by the Department.