ANNAPOLIS, MD, September 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, Maryland will treat reckless driving as a jailable offense and classify driving 30 mph or more over the posted limit as reckless under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act. The law classifies reckless driving as a must-appear criminal offense punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. It also raises Motor Vehicle Administration penalties to six points for reckless driving, including cases involving speeding 30 mph or more over the limit.
The act will increase maximum fines to $750 for negligent driving and $1,000 for aggressive driving, while expanding the list of violations that can constitute aggressive driving. Defendants charged under the new law with an offense carrying possible jail time may not prepay and must appear in court.
The law is named for Sgt. Patrick Kepp, who lost both legs after being struck by a driver exceeding 100 mph in 2023. In an April 11 statement following a related verdict, Montgomery County Police Chief Marc R. Yamada issued an official statement, saying the act "will hold reckless drivers more accountable with stricter penalties and real consequences."
David Benowitz, founding partner at Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers LLP and criminal defense lawyer, said drivers should understand that cases once handled as payable traffic citations can now carry jail exposure and lasting collateral effects.
"After Oct. 1, a charge for going 30-plus over the limit isn't a routine ticket, it's a criminal case," Benowitz said. "People cited under this law face the possibility of arrest, court appearances, and six points that can affect insurance and driving privileges."
Automated enforcement remains active in Maryland work zones and local school zones, where cameras issue civil citations by mail. While those programs are separate from the new criminal penalties, they reflect the state's broader approach to speed management through engineering, education and enforcement.
Price Benowitz will monitor implementation as Maryland courts adjust dockets and law enforcement applies the statute statewide. The firm will continue to advise motorists on their rights and obligations under the new law, including potential defenses and case outcomes based on the facts alleged. Price Benowitz has created a blog with Maryland Reckless Driving FAQs to help.
For more information about the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act and related traffic offenses, see the Maryland General Assembly fiscal and policy analysis.
About Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP
Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP is a personal injury law firm headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina. The firm was founded by David Benowitz and Seth Price, and since then, the two have built up their law firm to include 40 lawyers. The law firm handles a variety of cases beyond personal injury and medical malpractice, including criminal defense, trusts and estates, and family law.
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