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Chapter 08. Towing of Vehicles on Maryland Transportation Authority Property

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Regulation .01 Definitions.Copy Citation

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A.
In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Abandoned vehicle” has the meaning stated in Transportation Article, §25-201(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.
(2)
"Authority" means the Maryland Transportation Authority.
(3)
Authority Property.
(a)
"Authority property" means property owned, leased, operated by, or under the control of, the Maryland Transportation Authority.
(b)
"Authority property" includes a:
(i)
Transportation facilities project as defined in Transportation Article, §4-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(ii)
Authority highway as defined in Transportation Article, §21-1401, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(4)
“Chief of Police” means the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Force's chief police officer.
(5)
“Disabled vehicle” means a vehicle that has become inoperative on Authority property.
(6)
“Impounded vehicle” means a vehicle that has been taken into police custody.
(7)
“Park”, “parking”, or “parked” has the meaning stated in Transportation Article, §11-144, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(8)
“Person” means a natural person, partnership, corporation, fiduciary, association, or other business entity.
(9)
“Police” means:
(a)
A person designated as a member of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Force under Transportation Article, §4-208, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(b)
A police officer as defined under Public Safety Article, §3-201(e), Annotated Code of Maryland.
(10)
“State” means the State of Maryland.
(11)
“Towing service company” means a person or company that is licensed to provide commercial towing, road service, and storage of vehicles, but does not include persons towing or servicing their own vehicles.
(12)
Unattended Vehicle.
(a)
“Unattended vehicle” means a vehicle that:
(i)
Is parked on Authority property other than in a designated area; and
(ii)
Has not been occupied or attended for a period of 12 or more hours.
(b)
“Unattended vehicle” does not include an abandoned vehicle as defined under Transportation Article, §25-201, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(13)
“Vehicle” has the meaning stated in Transportation Article, §11-176, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Regulation .02 Scope.Copy Citation

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A.
This chapter governs the removal of disabled, impounded, improperly parked, or unattended vehicles on Authority property by towing service companies holding permits under COMAR 11.07.03, and the charges that may be imposed. These regulations do not limit the ability of the Authority to remove vehicles in accordance with COMAR 11.07.10.05.
B.
The Authority may, in the public interest, waive all or a portion of these regulations at the discretion of the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee.

Regulation .03 Towing of Vehicles.Copy Citation

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A.
Any disabled, unattended, improperly parked, or impounded vehicle on any Authority property may be towed.
B.
A vehicle shall be towed only upon direction from the police.
C.
A vehicle shall be towed by a towing service company holding a permit under COMAR 11.07.03 to that company's vehicle storage facility.

Regulation .04 Police Action — Unattended Vehicles.Copy Citation

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A.
A vehicle that is parked on Authority property, other than within designated parking areas, that is not occupied or attended shall be identified and tagged by police.
B.
If a tagged vehicle remains on Authority property for 12 or more hours the vehicle shall be designated by the police as an unattended vehicle.
C.
The police shall impound the vehicle that has been designated by the police as an unattended vehicle and direct a towing service company holding a permit under COMAR 11.07.03 to remove the vehicle from Authority property. The police shall provide the towing service company with the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle.

Regulation .05 Charges.Copy Citation

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A.
The owner or operator of a vehicle that is towed from Authority property is responsible for any charges imposed by a towing service company for towing and storing the vehicle.
B.
The rates to be charged for towing and storing a vehicle are the rates established by the Authority under COMAR 11.07.03.15 for towing service companies.
C.
Neither the Authority nor the State is responsible for the payment of any charges imposed by a towing service company for towing and storing any vehicle. Nothing in this regulation limits rights otherwise provided by law under Transportation Article, §26-306, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Regulation .06 Abandonment.Copy Citation

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A.
If a vehicle becomes an abandoned vehicle, the police that directed the removal of the vehicle shall provide the notice required by Transportation Article, §25-204, Annotated Code of Maryland.
B.
Abandoned vehicles that are not claimed within the time prescribed by law may be disposed of in accordance with Transportation Article, Title 25, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Transportation Article, §§4-204, 4-205, 4-208, 4-208.1, 21-1403, 21-1407, and 26-301 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: April 5, 1999 (26:7 Md. R. 545)
History: Regulation .01B amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574); August 4, 2014 (41:15 Md. R. 891)
History: Regulation .02 amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574)
History: Regulation .05 amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574)
History: Regulation .06A amended effective April 5, 2010 (37:7 Md. R. 574)