Laws Requiring Baltimore Car Insurance Are Much Newer Than These Laws

Baltimore is an old city with some very old traffic laws still on the books.

Just like some of its beautiful buildings, there are some pretty old traffic laws still on the books in Baltimore.

Baltimore car insurance requirements have been around for what may seem like a lifetime to most of us. But there are some traffic laws on the books in Baltimore that are even older than the car insurance requirements.

Here are some vintage Baltimore traffic laws just as they are written in the Baltimore City Codes:

Ҥ 26-1. Unauthorized riding.

(a) Prohibited conduct; penalty.

It shall not be lawful for any unauthorized person or persons to ride on locomotives, tenders, or

cars of steam railroads, street cars, stages, omnibuses, hacks, or any licensed conveyance for

passengers or merchandise on any street, lane, or alley opened for public use within the limits of

the City of Baltimore under a penalty of $1 for each offense, to be recovered as other fines and

penalties are now recoverable.

(b) Exception.

Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to newboys {sic} pursuing

their vocation.

(City Code, 1893, art. 8, §26; 1927, art. 4, §114; 1950, art. 38, §91; 1966, art. 31, §125; 1976/83, art.31, §85.) (Ord. 1879-004.)”

GENERAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

§ 37-1. General fine.

Any person violating any provision or regulation of this article shall be deemed guilty of a

misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined a sum not exceeding $100 for each and

every offense, except where another penalty is specified.

(City Code, 1927, art. 4, §61; 1950, art. 38, §78; 1966, art. 31, §94; 1976/83, art. 31, §70.)

(Ord. 08-139; Ord. 74-768.)

Ҥ 16-12. Vehicles on sidewalk.

(a) Prohibited conduct.

No person may back, draw, move, propel, drive, or operate any motor vehicle of any kind or any

vehicle of any kind that is drawn by a horse or mule on or over any sidewalk or curbing of the

City unless:

(1) the curbing is lowered to grade and the sidewalk so paved and arranged as to allow the

passage of these vehicles; or

(2) the person has special permission to do so from the Director of Public Works.

(b) Enforcement by citation.

(1) In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this section may

be enforced by issuance of:

(i) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental

Control Board”}; or

(ii) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.

(2) The issuance of a citation to enforce this section does not preclude pursuing any other civil

or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.

(c) Penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on

conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $100 for each offense.

(City Code, 1893, art. 48, §138; 1927, art. 32, §52; 1950, art. 24, §96; 1966, art. 19, §135; 1976/83,

art. 19, §160.) (Ord. 1885-033; Ord. 26-756; Ord. 45-267; Ord. 77-573; Ord. 99-548.)”

I love it when we find vintage stuff like this. Most of these laws on the books are still valid today, but I wonder if some of the penalties above are still being enforced in the same exact amount by Baltimore courts.