Ch. 7

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(6) "UTILITY EMERGENCY" MEANS ANY NATURAL OR MAN-MADE
EMERGENCY THAT DISRUPTS OR SEVERS OR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DISRUPT OR
SEVER GAS, ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE, WATER, SEWER, OR OTHER UTILITY SERVICE
TO:

(I)      ANY LARGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL
CUSTOMERS IN AN AREA OR AREAS OF THE STATE; OR

(II)     ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN AN AREA OR AREAS
OF THE STATE SO THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE, OR SAFETY IS OR MAY BE
THREATENED AS A RESULT.

(b)     (1) A police officer may require the driver of any vehicle that is subject to
any rule or regulation adopted under this section to stop and submit to an inspection:

(i) All applicable driver records, including driver's license, driver
hours of service record and certificate of physical examination;

(ii) All load manifests, including bills of lading or other shipping
documents; and

(iii) All cargo and cargo areas; and

(2) A police officer who is certified by the Maryland State Police to perform
an inspection authorized under this section, a Public Service Commission inspector, or a
hazardous materials inspector may conduct a safety inspection of the vehicle that is
subject to a rule or regulation adopted under this section or § 22-409 of this article.

(c)     The operation of a vehicle on any highway in this State constitutes the consent
of the driver and the owner of the vehicle to the inspection provided for in this section.

(d)     The driver of a vehicle shall obey every sign and every direction of a police
officer to stop his vehicle and submit to the required inspection.

(e)     A sign used to direct vehicles under this section may be displayed only by a
police officer who is assigned to enforce this section.                                       

(f)      Except as provided in subsection (i) of this section the Motor Vehicle
Administration may adopt rules and regulations as are necessary for the safe operation of
vehicles that exceed 10,000 pounds registered gross weight and are engaged in the
transportation of property or passengers over the highways of this State.

(1) Any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this subsection shall:

(i) Be formulated jointly by the Motor Vehicle Administration' and
the Maryland State Police;

(ii) Duplicate or be consistent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations contained in 49 CFR, Parts 390 through 399;

(iii) Apply to all vehicles over 10,000 pounds registered gross vehicle
weight that are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; and

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