New laws take effect Monday

9-30-2012 Maryland:

The beginning of October each year brings a laundry list of changes Maryland citizens must consider before heading out the door — that is, if they don’t want to meet a police officer.

This year, new laws will affect people hoping to work or volunteer for Wicomico County, drivers, inmates, parents, prospective taxi drivers in Ocean City and health insurance companies.

Among the more talked about changes is a law requiring anyone driving up to a broken traffic light to yield in the same manner they would at a blinking red light. The change was made before the notorious derecho storms this summer, but will likely help to reduce chaos following mass power outages.

“Given the recent severity of storms we have seen in our state, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, wind and ice storms and an occasional tornado, it is becoming more and more common to see intersections with non-functioning traffic signals and unfortunately we have seen this end in tragedy,” said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Drivers stopping at broken traffic signals will also have to let pedestrians cross the road before driving on or continuing to sit in traffic on the other side of the intersection.

Background checks

Among the local laws taking effect Monday is one allowing Wicomico County government to look up the criminal history of anyone applying for a job or to be a volunteer. Similarly, in Ocean City anyone hoping to drive a taxi will have to go through a criminal background check.

Parents throughout the Lower Shore will have to keep youngsters in car seats until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. The exception for kids over 85 pounds is no longer in effect.

One of the most popular ways to get around Ocean City during the summer is also changing. Beginning Oct. 1, scooters will need to be insured for minimum liability the same way cars are and titled with the Motor ...continued... by Jennifer Shutt, Staff Writer