On Tuesday night the Baltimore County City Council unanimously voted to increase the penalties for parking a semi truck in a residential neighborhood — in spite of the fact that there is a huge truck parking shortage in the area.
Council Unanimously Approved 5 Times Increase In Fines For Illegal Truck Parking
The ruling comes after complaints about increased truck parking off of I-70 and Baltimore Beltway and off of the I-83 corridor.
The vote will allow Baltimore County to issue truckers fines that are five times larger than what they were previously permitted to issue. This means that truckers parking in a neighborhood in Baltimore County will be fined $250 to $500 for the misdemeanor charge.
The new ruling will also make it easier for the county to tow trucks parked in residential areas by giving the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections power to order a tow. Baltimore County police will also retain their right to order a tow for a parked semi.
MMTA: Lack Of Available Parking Is The Real Problem
The Maryland Motor Truck Association says that a lack of available truck parking along I-70, I-83, and I- 95 is at the root of the problem and that increasing fines is not an effective long term solution.
Sources:
The Baltimore Sun
