Driving Too Fast Could Now Lead to Jail
In October of 2025 Maryland toughened its reckless driving laws with the passage of The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act,. The law represents a major effort by law makers to stop danger and destructive driving.
Speeding 30 MPH Over the Limit Is Now Reckless Driving
Under the new law, driving 30 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit is automatically classified as reckless driving. Reckless driving is a criminal offense, not a simple traffic citation.
Drivers charged with reckless driving:
- Cannot simply pay a fine and move on
- Must appear in court
- Face fines of up to $1,000
- Could face up to 60 days in jail in serious cases
Reckless Driving Can Include Things Other Than Speed
Speed alone is not the only factor officers consider. Reckless driving still includes operating a vehicle with a “wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
The revised law now explicitly includes:
- Extremely excessive speed
- Aggressive or dangerous driving behavior: this includes 2 types of other bad driving you did on the road as detected by police officer
License Points, Suspensions, and Increased Penalties
A reckless driving conviction carries significant consequences, including:
- Six points on your Maryland driver’s license
- Possible license suspension
- Loss of a provisional license.
When reckless driving places others in danger:
- Fines can increase to approximately $750
- Additional points may be imposed
What This Means for Maryland Drivers
The message from Annapolis is clear: slow down and stay informed. Conduct that once resulted in a speeding ticket can now lead to a misdemeanor criminal conviction, along with serious legal, insurance, and licensing consequences.
Regardless of whether these reforms are viewed as necessary safety measures or aggressive enforcement, reckless driving in Maryland is now treated far more seriously than ever before.
We know exactly what you need to do to when facing a reckless driving ticket !
We have handled traffic and reckless driving cases for over 40 years. We develop strategic defenses designed to:
- Keep clients out of jail
- Protect driving privileges
- Minimize points and long-term consequences
If you are facing a reckless driving charge in Maryland, call us for solutions to your traffic problem
