We have all seen people driving on the shoulder of the beltway during rush hour. Certain individuals will pull over to the shoulder to try to get around backed up traffic. It is illegal. I have seen many people receive traffic citations. It is a 1 point ticket and carries a $110.00 fine. If it contributes to an accident, it is a 3 point ticket and a $150.00 fine.

The shoulder is designed for emergency vehicles such as police, ambulances, fire and tow trucks. It is also there for vehicles to pull over in the event of an accident so the highway is not blocked.  The purpose of the shoulder is not to allow cars to drive on it.

In 2017, the legislature amended Md. Ann. Code, Trans. Art., Section 21-304 to allow one exception. If a car in front of you is making a left turn, you may drive on the shoulder to the right to pass the car so long as there is unobstructed pavement allowing you to do so. In other words, you cannot drive onto a dirt shoulder to pass the car and you cannot use the shoulder to pass a slow moving vehicle going straight.

The police have stepped up enforcement of traffic violations for driving on the shoulder of a roadway. Judges do not take too kindly to people that do it. You are better off staying on the highway even if it delays your arrival to your destination by a few minutes.