(a) In this section, “exhibition driving” means the operation of a motor vehicle in close proximity to a crowd or gathering in a manner that intentionally results in two or more of the following:
- (1) The excessive, abrupt acceleration or deceleration of the motor vehicle;
- (2) The skidding, squealing, burning, or smoking of the tires of the motor vehicle;
- (3) The swerving or swaying of the motor vehicle from side to side while accelerating;
(4)
- (i) The engine of the motor vehicle producing an unreasonably loud, raucous, or disturbing noise; or
- (ii) The grinding of the gears of the motor vehicle or the backfiring of the engine of the motor vehicle;
- (5) Any of the wheels of the motor vehicle losing contact with the ground; or
- (6) The transportation of a passenger on or in an area of a motor vehicle that is not designed or intended for passenger transport such as the hood or roof.
- (b) On any highway or on any private property that is used for driving by the public in general, a person may not engage in exhibition driving.
(c)
- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
- (2) A person convicted of a violation of this section that results in serious bodily injury to another person, as defined in § 20-102(c) of this article, is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
(d) A court may consider in defense of a charge for exhibition driving:
- (1) With respect to activity described in subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section, that the individual driving the motor vehicle acted in a reasonable manner for safety purposes; or
- (2) With respect to activity described in subsection (a)(6) of this section, that the individual driving the motor vehicle was participating in a properly permitted parade at the time of the alleged violation.
Added by Acts 2024, c. 569, § 3; Acts 2024, c. 570, § 3, eff. June 1, 2024.