CHAPTER 360
H.P. 1223 - L.D. 1664
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§64-A is enacted to read:
64-A. Scooter. "Scooter" means a device upon which a person may ride consisting of a footboard between 2 end wheels, controlled by an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel and that is propelled by human power or a motor.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §105, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
2. Scope of inspection. A law enforcement officer who has stopped a motor vehicle pursuant to subsection 1 may demand and inspect the driver's license, certificate of registration, permits and the identification numbers of the motor vehicle. A state police officer who is trained pursuant to the motor carrier safety rules of the motor carrier safety regulations of the United States Department of Transportation may demand and inspect the driver's record of duty status and medical examiner's certificate, if applicable.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §351, sub-§3, ¶A, as amended by PL 1995, c. 247, §1, is further amended to read:
A. An unregistered motor vehicle to be towed either by a regular service wrecker or by the use of a towbar or tow dolly; or
Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2052, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
5. Limiting use. The Department of Transportation or a municipality, with respect to a way under that authority's jurisdiction, may prohibit the use of a way by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic, scooters, motorized bicycles or tricycles, or motor-driven cycles.
On limiting the use, the authority shall erect and maintain official signs stating the prohibition. A person may not disobey the restrictions stated on those signs.
Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 1999, c. 29, §2, is further amended by amending subparagraphs (8) and (11) to read:
(8) A Department of Public Safety vehicle operated by a liquor enforcement officer, a capital security officer appointed pursuant to Title 25, section 2908, a state fire inspector investigator or a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency officer;
(11) A hazardous material response vehicle, including a vehicle designed to respond to a weapon of mass destruction;
Sec. 6. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§2, ¶C, as affected by PL 1995, c. 65, Pt. A, §153 and amended by Pt. C, §6 and affected by §15, is further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (7) to read:
(7) A Department of Public Safety vehicle operated by a motor carrier inspector may be equipped with auxiliary lights that emit an amber light.
Sec. 7. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§5, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
C. Exceed the maximum speed limits as long as life or property is not endangered, except that capital security officers and employees of the Department of Corrections may not exercise this privilege;
Sec. 8. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§9 is enacted to read:
9. Stationary authorized emergency vehicles. The operator of a vehicle passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using an emergency light, with due regard to the safety and traffic conditions, shall:
A. Pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible; or
B. If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible or unsafe, pass the emergency vehicle at a careful and prudent speed reasonable for passing the authorized emergency vehicle safely.
Sec. 9. 29-A MRSA §2063, as amended by PL 1995, c. 371, §1, is further amended to read:
§2063. Bicycles, toy vehicles and scooters
1. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, "bicycle" includes a motorized bicycle or a motorized tricycle, "scooter" includes a motorized scooter and "toy vehicle" includes, but is not limited to, skateboards, rollerskates, wagons, sleds and coasters.
2. Riding to the right. A person operating a bicycle or scooter shall ride it as far as practicable to the right side of the way, except when making a left turn. This subsection does not apply in a municipality that, by ordinance and with the approval of the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation, makes other provisions for the location of bicycle or scooter traffic.
3. Seating. A person operating a bicycle may not ride other than astride a regular and permanently attached seat. A bicycle may not be used to carry more persons than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
4. Hitching rides. A person riding on a bicycle, scooter or toy vehicle may not attach it to a moving vehicle on a way.
5. Rights and duties. A person riding a bicycle or scooter on a way has the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to the operator of a vehicle, except as to:
A. Special regulations; and
B. Provisions in this Title that by their nature can have no application.
6. Speed. A motorized bicycle or motorized scooter may not be operated in excess of 20 miles per hour.
7. Penalties. A person 17 years of age or over who violates this section commits a traffic infraction with a maximum fine of for which a forfeiture of no more than $10 may be adjudged.
8. Impoundment. The chief of police of a municipality, or if there is no chief of police, the chair of the local legislative body, when satisfied that a juvenile under the age of 17 years has ridden a bicycle or scooter in violation of this section, may impound the bicycle or scooter for a period not to exceed 5 days for the first offense, 10 days for a 2nd offense and 30 days for a subsequent offense.
Sec. 10. 29-A MRSA §2066, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
5. Following fire apparatus; other emergency vehicles. An operator may not follow within 500 feet of fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm or within 150 feet of any other authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section 2054, subsection 1, paragraph B that is using an emergency light as defined in section 2054, subsection 1, paragraph D.
Sec. 11. 29-A MRSA §2067, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
3. Parking or standing. Unless a municipal ordinance specifically provides otherwise, a vehicle may not be parked or stand on or beside the left-hand side of a way during the times when lighted lamps are required in a manner that its lights project in the direction of oncoming traffic.
Sec. 12. 29-A MRSA §2084, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
1. Night equipment. A bicycle, scooter or motorized bicycle or tricycle, when in use in the nighttime or at other times when motor vehicles are required to display headlights, must have:
A. Lighted a front light that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet to the front;
B. A red reflector to the rear that is visible at least 200 feet to the rear; and
C. Reflector strips on the pedals and handlebars.
2. Brakes. A bicycle, scooter or motorized bicycle or tricycle must be equipped with a brake sufficient to enable the operator to stop the vehicle or device within a reasonable distance.
Sec. 13. 29-A MRSA §2088, sub-§2, ¶¶C and D, as reallocated by RR 1999, c. 1, §41, are amended to read:
C. Participants in parades; or
D. A passenger secured by a seat belt in a manufacturer-installed seat located outside the passenger compartment.; or
Sec. 14. 29-A MRSA §2088, sub-§2, ¶E is enacted to read:
E. Campers and hikers being transported in Baxter State Park.
Sec. 15. 29-A MRSA §2251, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
8. Violation. A person commits a Class E crime if that person:
A. Is required to make an oral or written report and knowingly fails to do so within the time required; or
B. Is an operator involved in a reportable accident and knowingly fails to give a correct name and address when requested by an officer at the scene.; or
C. Is the operator involved in a reportable accident or the owner of a vehicle involved in a reportable accident and knowingly fails to produce the vehicle or, if the vehicle is operational, return it to the scene when requested by the investigating officer.
Sec. 16. 29-A MRSA §2396, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:
3. Gravel. A load of gravel, sand, crushed stone, rubbish, wood chips, building debris or trash must be covered or otherwise secured or confined to prevent any portion of the load from falling from or spilling out of the vehicle.
Effective September 21, 2001, unless otherwise indicated.
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