Drivers who get caught blocking intersections in Montgomery County when traffic signals turn from green to red could face fines of up to $100 under legislation being proposed in the state legislature.
“A major concern for a number of constituents is that cars tend to get trapped in the intersections,” said state Sen. Will Smith, a co-sponsor of a bill to allow police to ticket drivers who block cross-traffic in intersections. “This is a way to raise the awareness of drivers that they can’t essentially ‘block the box.’”
A draft of the bill warns that drivers approaching a yellow traffic light will not have enough time to cross the intersection and should not speed up before the signal turns red.
“It’s also for pedestrian safety, ensuring folks don’t get stuck,” said Smith, a Democrat who represents District 20 in southeastern Montgomery. “You’re zipping through the intersection and that’s a big deal for pedestrian safety.”
Drivers facing a steady red signal could make a right turn on red at traffic lights, where allowed and when safe, according to a draft of the bill, which is co-sponsored by Del. Al Carr, a Democrat representing the downcounty District 18.
Washington and Baltimore have similar “block the box” rules that carry fines of $50 to $125, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
AAA Spokesman John Townsend said driver selfishness and antiquated traffic lights are often at the root of “block the box” issues.
Montgomery County has made attempts to better synchronize its traffic lights, but more work needs to be done to revitalize the system, Townsend said.
Townsend added that citizens serving as traffic patrolman could also assist with discouraging blocking the box, a solution that has worked in other regions.
“There’s a consensus that something needs to be done about the problem,” Townsend said of the bill. “You can’t just have that alone. It has to be part and parcel of a comprehensive approach to controlling traffic.”
The penalty for violating the law would be a maximum citation of $100 and drivers would not have to appear in court, Smith said. The ticket would not be a criminal citation, he said.
Baltimore City’s fines are $125 fine while the District’s are $50, making the proposed citation of $100 comparable, Townsend said.
The proposal is expected to be debated by the county’s delegation to the state legislature, which opens Jan. 9.
