State Highway Administration - Traffic Calming Devices - Study
HB0070 would require the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to revoke the driver’s license of a person convicted of, or granted probation before judgment for, certain serious impaired-driving offenses when those offenses contribute to an accident causing death or life-threatening injury. It also extends revocation to a person who fails to remain at the scene of an accident that results in death or bodily injury. The bill applies to convictions or PBJ outcomes for homicide by motor vehicle while impaired, driving under the influence or while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and hit-and-run offenses involving serious harm.
The bill also creates a path to seek reinstatement after a longer waiting period than under current law for these serious cases: five years for licenses revoked under the new subsection, subject to the Administration’s review and other existing disqualifications. It bars temporary licenses during administrative appeals for these revocations and requires certain hit-and-run offenders to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program. The bill amends Maryland Transportation Article sections 16-205, 16-208, and 16-404.1 and would take effect October 1, 2025.
HB0070 would tighten Maryland’s driver-licensing consequences for impaired driving and hit-and-run crashes involving death or serious injury by making revocation mandatory in those circumstances and by limiting temporary licensing during appeals. It would also expand ignition interlock participation to some drivers whose licenses are revoked for failing to remain at the scene of a qualifying accident. The bill changes reinstatement timing and standards in the Transportation Article, while preserving the Motor Vehicle Administration’s authority to deny reinstatement when other revocations or safety concerns exist.
The available context shows no committee testimony or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. The bill’s text suggests a public-safety-oriented approach focused on stronger penalties for impaired driving and hit-and-run conduct. However, the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the sponsor, indicating it did not advance in the introduced form.
The main policy tension is between stronger public-safety sanctions and the consequences for drivers seeking reinstatement after serious offenses. Potential points of contention include the mandatory nature of revocation, the five-year waiting period before reinstatement eligibility, the denial of temporary licenses during appeal, and the extension of ignition interlock requirements to hit-and-run cases. Because there were no transcripts or votes provided, no specific legislators, agencies, or stakeholders are identified as taking opposing positions in the available record.