Unsafe Backing (TA Section 21‑1102)
Backing collisions in parking lots, driveways, and congested roadways often lead to “unsafe backing” citations. Because these incidents happen quickly and without ideal vantage points, the State’s story is frequently built on inference rather than clear proof. With photos, diagrams, and smart mitigation, these cases are often reduced or resolved without points.
The statute: Transportation Article Section 21‑1102
TA Section 21‑1102 generally prohibits a driver from backing a vehicle unless the movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic. The statute also restricts backing on shoulders or roadways under certain circumstances.
What the State must prove
Typically, the State alleges that you backed without ensuring the space was clear or that you interfered with another vehicle or pedestrian. We probe:
- Sightlines from mirrors and camera systems
- The path and speed of the other vehicle or pedestrian
- Whether the other driver had time and space to avoid impact
- Contributing factors (tight lots, blind corners, obstructions)
Points and penalties
Unsafe backing is a moving violation that can carry points within Maryland’s points framework. Points raise insurance risk; our priority is a no‑point resolution through dismissal, reduction, or PBJ.
Defense and mitigation
- Visibility and vantage
- Pillars, parked trucks, and landscaping frequently block views. Photos from the driver’s seat show why the maneuver was cautious and reasonable.
- Shared responsibility
- The other vehicle may have been traveling too fast for the lot, cutting across aisles, or driving outside marked lanes. That matters both for liability and outcome.
- Safety systems and conduct
- If you used mirrors, backup camera, and a slow roll, the record supports careful driving—even if contact occurred. Courts respond favorably to prudence.
- Repair and insurance steps
- Prompt, responsible handling of repairs and claim details can support leniency where the court uses mitigation to guide the outcome.
Practical steps
- Don’t pay online—paying accepts points. Request a trial date.
- Photograph the lot, stall angles, obstructions, and camera view.
- Bring clean‑record documentation and proof of driver improvement as needed.
Outcomes
We try cases that present weak vantage or shared responsibility. When negotiation is the better path, we secure PBJ or reduced, no‑point results to keep insurance stable.
For point‑avoidance strategies across Maryland traffic tickets, see Maryland Traffic Lawyers.