§ 21-904. Fleeing or eluding police
(a) “Visual or audible signal” defined. — In this section, “visual or audible signal” includes a signal by hand, voice, emergency light or siren.
(b) Failing to stop vehicle. — If a police officer gives a visual or audible signal to stop and the police officer is in uniform, prominently displaying the police officer’s badge or other insignia of office, a driver of a vehicle may not attempt to elude the police officer by:
(1) Willfully failing to stop the driver’s vehicle;
(2) Fleeing on foot; or
(3) Any other means.
(c) Fleeing on foot. — If a police officer gives a visual or audible signal to stop and the police officer, whether or not in uniform, is in a vehicle appropriately marked as an official police vehicle, a driver of a vehicle may not attempt to elude the police officer by:
(1) Willfully failing to stop the driver’s vehicle;
(2) Fleeing on foot; or
(3) Any other means.
(d) Attempts. —
(1) A driver may not commit a violation of subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1) of this section that results in bodily injury to another person.
(2) A driver may not commit a violation of subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1) of this section that results in death of another person.
(e) Effect of conviction of crime of violence. —
(1) In this subsection, “crime of violence” has the meaning stated in § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article.
(2) A driver may not commit a violation of subsection (b)(1) or (c)(1) of this section while the driver is attempting to elude a police officer who is signaling for the driver to stop for the purpose of apprehending the driver for the commission of a crime of violence for which the driver is subsequently convicted.
(f) Penalties for violation of section. —
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to:
(i) For a first offense, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $ 1,000 or both; and
(ii) For a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $ 1,000 or both.
(2) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (d)(1) or (e) of this section is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or both.
(3) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (d)(2) of this section is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or both.
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CASES & EXAMPLES:
Similar Law in Other Jurisdictions
- District of Columbia: § 50–2201.05b: Fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle
- Pennsylvania: § 3733: Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer