Section 21-801 - Basic rule. - Maryland Statutes

§ 21-801. Basic rule.
 

(a)  Reasonable and prudent speed required.- A person may not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed that, with regard to the actual and potential dangers existing, is more than that which is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. 

(b)  Driver to control speed.- At all times, the driver of a vehicle on a highway shall control the speed of the vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with any person or any vehicle or other conveyance that, in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care, is on or entering the highway. 

(c)  Drivers to reduce speed in certain circumstances.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection at which cross traffic is not required to stop by a traffic control device. 

(d)  Approaching and crossing railroad grade crossings.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and crossing a railroad grade crossing. 

(e)  Approaching and going around curves.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and going around a curve. 

(f)  Approaching crests of grades.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching the crest of a grade. 

(g)  Traveling on narrow or winding roadways.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when traveling on any narrow or winding roadway. 

(h)  Special dangers as to pedestrians or other traffic.- Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when any special danger exists as to pedestrians or other traffic or because of weather or highway conditions. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 11-801; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1986, ch. 472, § 1.]