Ch. 543                                     1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(6) Special vehicles funded or provided by federal, State, or local
government and used for emergency or rescue purposes in this State.

21-1120.

(a)     A person may not drive a motor vehicle on any highway or on any private
property that is used by the public in general in this State while the person is wearing over
or in both ears earplugs.

(b)     A person may not drive a motor vehicle on any highway or on any private
property that is used by the public in general in this State while the person is wearing over
or in both ears a headset.

(c)     A person may not drive a motor vehicle on any highway' or on any private
property that is used by the public in general in this State while the person is wearing over
or in both ears earphones attached to a radio, tape player, or other audio device.

(d)     The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section do not apply to:

[(1) A person operating an authorized emergency vehicle under emergency
conditions;]                                    '

[(2)](1) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction
equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway;

[(3)] (2) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment
who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs; .

[(4)] (3) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of
custom earplugs or molds that are designed to reduce injurious noise levels. However,
custom plugs or molds shall be designed in such a manner as to not inhibit the wearer's
ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another vehicle;
or                                                   

[(5)](4) A person wearing a prosthetic device used to aid the hard of
hearing.

(E). (1) THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTIONS (A) AND (C) OF THIS SECTION DO
NOT APPLY TO A PERSON OPERATING AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.

(2) THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION DO NOT
APPLY TO A PERSON OPERATING AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE:

(I)      UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS; OR

(II)     WHO IS WEARING A HEADSET FOR THE PURPOSE OF
COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1993.

Approved May 27, 1993.                                                         

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