The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise citizens of new legislation intended to deter motorists from double parking by school grounds which impedes vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 

The new legislation allows the city to impose a $250 fine on motorists that park, stop or stand in a manner which obstructs or impedes the free flow of traffic by school grounds. This includes areas around kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools between the hours of 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on school days. The legislation enables officers to issue citations for this offence without first providing a written warning. 

“The new legislation will allow the Department of Transportation to address significant traffic issues in communities throughout the city during peak hour drop-off and pick-up times,” said Department of Transportation Director William Johnson. “Transportation Enforcement Officers will now be able to cite vehicles illegally stopped by school grounds for the safety of students and motorists.”

The Department of Transportation frequently receives complaints from parents, residents, school principals and others regarding the flow of traffic at schools during busy morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. Drivers routinely double park in front of schools and block traffic, which endangers children by forcing them to maneuver through uncontrolled parked and moving vehicles. In addition, cars that are double parked impede the flow of traffic and often exacerbate aggressive driving in school zones, as motorists try to pass the illegally stopped vehicles.

Under previous law, DOT’s Transportation Enforcement Officers were unable to enforce most double parking violations, including those around school zones where double parking often occurs and is the most dangerous. Officers will now be able to cite vehicles double parked by school grounds with the new legislation, making conditions safer for pedestrians and motorists.

The new law, which falls under Article 31, Section 36-4 of the Baltimore City Code became effective April 1, 2015.