§ 8-602. Clearing highways

MD Transp Code § 8-602 (2019) (N/A)
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(a)    The Administration shall:

(1)    Keep all State highways reasonably clear of brush, snow, and other debris; and

(2)    Remove from a State highway, as soon as its presence is made known to the Administration, any animal carcass that will impede traffic or substantially endanger the safety of the traveling public.

(b)    (1)    In removing snow from highways in Garrett County, the Administration:

(i)    Shall avoid blocking completely the entrance to any home or business adjacent to the highway; and

(ii)    May not throw or pile snow against any building in any way that interferes with the use of the building by its owner or occupant.

(2)    If, in unusual circumstances, the entrance to any home or business is blocked in the course of snow removal, the Administration shall unblock the entrance within a reasonable time.

(c)    (1)    (i)    In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.

(ii)    “Farm truck” has the meaning stated in § 13–921 of this article.

(iii)    “Local state of emergency” means a local state of emergency declared under § 14–111 of the Public Safety Article.

(iv)    “State of emergency” means a state of emergency declared under § 14–107 of the Public Safety Article.

(2)    In the event of a state of emergency or a local state of emergency, including snow, hurricane, windstorm, or a similar event, the Administration may request that the owner of a farm truck allow the Administration to use the farm truck to assist in snow removal.

(3)    The owner of a farm truck may refuse a request made under paragraph (2) of this subsection to allow the Administration to use the farm truck.

(4)    The owner of a farm truck may not allow the farm truck to be used under this subsection to assist in snow removal outside of the county in which the farm truck is registered.

(5)    The Administration shall compensate the owner of a farm truck that is used by the Administration for snow removal.

(6)    This subsection applies only if the farm truck meets the following minimum requirements:

(i)    The farm truck passed its most recent inspection under § 23–302 of this article;

(ii)    The operator of the farm truck possesses a valid commercial driver’s license and a current medical card;

(iii)    The owner of the farm truck meets minimum insurance requirements; and

(iv)    The farm truck uses ultra–low sulfur diesel fuel while being used to assist the Administration in snow removal.

(7)    The Administration may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subsection.