On July 7, 2023, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen amended Section 13-14 of the Frederick City Code regarding overweight through vehicles. The amended ordinance prohibits commercial motor vehicles, as defined by § 16-803 of the Maryland Transportation Article, on streets posted with a sign prohibiting commercial vehicles. The law allows exemptions for commercial motor vehicles operated for governmental purposes and necessary travel for local deliveries, contracting services, or similar limited, lawful purposes relating to a property on the street.
The Frederick Police Department will be conducting traffic enforcement in select areas to educate drivers of commercial motor vehicles and will issue traffic citations when appropriate. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles should be alert for “NO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES” and related truck restriction signs before turning onto residential streets, and not use restricted streets for through travel. Mapping applications for truck drivers, which recommend proper truck routes that avoid restricted streets, are available through existing smartphone application marketplaces.
Maryland Transportation Article § 16-803(c)
(1) “Commercial motor vehicle (CMV)” means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property, if the motor vehicle:
(i) Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
(ii) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds;
(iii) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
(iv) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under hazardous materials regulations (49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F).
(2) “Commercial motor vehicle (CMV)” does not include a vehicle that is:
(i)
1. Controlled and operated by a farmer;
2. Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm;
3. Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and
4. Used within 150 miles of the person’s farm;
Maryland Transportation Article § 21-201(a)(1)
Driver failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions
Fine $ 90.00 Points 1
Contribute to Accident: Fine $ 130.00 Points 3