DRIVERS who break a 30mph speed limit in a US state could be jailed for up to 60 days.
Tough new laws are being introduced from October 1 to combat reckless driving.
The state of Maryland has passed significant updates to its traffic laws under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act.
Starting in October, the updated rules increase penalties and refines the definitions of reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving.
The new act, enacted as Chapter 447 (Senate Bill 590), is named in honor of Sergeant Patrick Kepp.
Serious injury
Sgt Kepp was seriously injured in a reckless driving incident and the law in his name aims to deter dangerous driving behavior.
The state of Maryland intends to deter reckless driving by elevating certain offenses, imposing stricter penalties, and clarifying the statutory definitions of aggressive and reckless driving
This includes a reclassification of reckless driving.
Reckless driving may seem like the type of activity where you know it when you see it, conjuring images of speeding cars swerving between lanes of traffic and trying to beat yellow lights.
But it actually has a specific legal definition that’s far broader.
And knowing what’s legally considered reckless driving can help you avoid consequences like a fine or jail time.
While any driver convicted of reckless driving previously could be subjected to a fine in Maryland, this now carries a potential penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
For anyone convicted of negligent driving, the penalty increases to a fine of up to $750,
This increase is designed to signal the state’s intent to treat all forms of dangerous driving more seriously.
Major change
But perhaps the biggest change in the law is the classification of driving 30 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit as a form of reckless driving.
This reclassification transforms what was previously a high-tier speeding ticket into a criminal traffic offense punishable by jail time, fines, and points on a driving license.
The definition of aggressive driving has also been streamlined.
A person now commits aggressive driving by violating three or more of the following traffic laws in a single, continuous period of driving.
These include disobeying traffic lights with steady indications; improper overtaking and passing; passing on the right; and failing to stay in a single lane (laned roadways).
The other three violations are following too closely (tailgating); failure to yield the right-of-way and speeding over the posted maximum speed limit.
Who is Sergeant Patrick Kepp?
Montgomery County Police Sergeant Patrick Kepp survived a devastating on-duty incident in 2023, resulting in the loss of both his legs.
Since then he has been channeling his resilience into a new mission — making Maryland’s roads safer.
Kepp is a powerful voice in Annapolis, has been advocating for legislation that would monitor and regulate the speed of convicted reckless drivers.
This will now come into law on October 1.
As a leader in this initiative, he brought a personal and compelling perspective to a critical issue affecting communities statewide.
