1524                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 733

CHAPTER 733
(House Bill 699)

AN ACT to add new Section 300A to Article 66½ of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "Motor Vehicles," subtitle
"Operation of Vehicles Upon Highways," to follow immediately
after Section 300 thereof, to require CERTAIN buses and commer-
cial motor vehicles operated in this State to be equipped with pro-
tectors or flaps on the rearmost wheels, and to specify the require-
ments for such protectors or flaps.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 300A be and it is hereby added to Article 66½
of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "Motor
Vehicles," subtitle "Operation of Vehicles Upon Highways," to follow
immediately after Section 300 thereof, and to read as follows:

300A.

(a)   After January 1, 1964 no person shall operate or cause to be
operated any bus or commercial motor vehicle, including semi-trailers
and trailers, upon a highway in this State unless it is equipped with
suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps behind the rear-
most wheels of the vehicle or combination to prevent the projection
of rocks, dirt, water or other substances to the rear and to minimize
side spray.

(b)  Such protectors or flaps shall have a ground clearance of not
more than one-third of the horizontal distance from the bottom edge
of the protector or flap to the center line of the axle, provided, how-
ever, that no protector or flap need be closer to the ground than six
inches under any condition of loading. The protector or flap shall
extend laterally at least the width of the tire or tires being protected.

(c)   If any bus or commercial motor vehicle, including semi-trail-
ers and trailers, is so designed or constructed that the objectives in
subsection (a) of this section are accomplished by reason of fender
or body construction or other means of enclosure, either permanent
or temporary, then the requirements of this section have been satis-
fied.

(d)   This section shall not apply to any farm tractor or to any
vehicle registered as a farm truck or to uncoupled truck tractors or
to pole trailers or other vehicles where the construction is such that
complete freedom around the wheel area, is necessary to secure the
designed use of the vehicle.

(e)   Violation of this section is punishable upon conviction by fine
not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) for each offense.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1963.

Approved April 30, 1963.