2025 Maryland Speeding Law Makes Jail Time Possible for Driving Too Fast

If you are a frequent violator of Maryland’s speed limits, you’re going to want to take note of a new law going into effect on October 1, 2025. The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act is named after Montgomery County Police Sergeant Patrick Kepp, who lost his legs after being struck by a reckless driver. The law increases penalties for certain driving violations and clarifies definitions for reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving. Most notably, however, is the fact that the law could result in up to 60 days in jail for drivers who exceed the speed limit by 30 mph or more.

What this means is that many drivers who might be unfamiliar with Maryland’s criminal court system could find themselves at risk of seeing the inside of a jail cell. Avoiding violations of this new law is best, but if you do get caught seriously exceeding the posted limit, you’ll need the help of a criminal defense lawyer who is ready to protect you and your future.

What has changed with the new law?

Before the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, if you were pulled over for speeding by 30 or even 40 miles per hour over the speed limit, you might walk away with nothing more than a citation. That’s no longer the case. When the new law takes effect, drivers caught traveling 30 miles per hour or more over the limit (for instance,  85 in a 55) will have committed a criminal offense.

Here is a brief breakdown of four significant changes that the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act is bringing to Maryland:

1)    30+ over the speed limit is now a jailable offense

Speeding 30+ mph over the limit could now result in 60 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and six points on your driver’s license.

2)    A clearer definition of negligent driving

The law makes it clear that negligent driving means operating your car in a careless way that puts others in danger. This violation can now cost you up to $750 in fines (previously it was $500). If you don’t cause an accident, you’ll get two points on your license for this offense, and you’ll get three if you do cause a crash.

3)    It will be easier for police to arrest you for aggressive driving

Maryland changed the definition of aggressive driving. Before, it required drivers to commit at least three separate offenses in a single trip. Now, if you commit just two of a list of defined violations in one continuous period of driving, you can be charged. Tailgating, ignoring traffic signals, failing to yield, and passing illegally are all part of that list. Also, that list has expanded because of the act, meaning there are more ways for an officer to consider your driving “aggressive.” This offense carries a fine of up to $1,000, and you could get five points on your license.

4)    You’re more likely to need to go to court

The days of prepaying a ticket for offenses like reckless driving to avoid the courtroom are coming to an end. Speeding offenses of over 30 mph above the speed limit and reckless driving now require mandatory court appearances. Prior to the new law, you could just pay the ticket and never appear before a judge.

All of these changes could also mean that instead of having some inconvenient driving violations or insurance consequences, you could end up with a criminal record. This can leave you with long-lasting troubles.

Why does this matter?

You might be thinking, “I don’t need to worry. I’m a good driver. I’d never drive 100 miles an hour or fly through red lights.” Understandable. Most people aren’t trying to break the law. But it only takes one bad moment to land you with a criminal charge. The new rules are here, and they send a message that aggressive and reckless driving will no longer be treated as minor slip-ups.

But here’s the other side of that message: if you’re charged under this law, you still have rights, and you absolutely should use them.

What should I do if I’m charged with a traffic violation?

Let me be blunt. You should never walk into court alone if you’re facing one of these charges.

Because some of these traffic violations are now criminal offenses, they go beyond fines. You could be facing jail time, permanent marks on your criminal record, and major insurance hikes. If you hold a commercial driver’s license, your job could be on the line. Even for everyday drivers, your license could be suspended if you rack up enough points.

When I work with clients facing these charges, we look at the full picture, and ask important questions like:

• Was the speed gun accurate?
• Did the officer interpret your lane change as aggressive when it was actually safe?
• Are there traffic camera videos, GPS data, or witness statements that tell a different story?

In some cases, we can negotiate the charge down to a civil infraction, especially if it’s a first-time offense and no one was hurt. In other cases, we build a defense and fight it in court. Every case is different, and the stakes are high enough now that no one should simply plead guilty and hope for the best.

How Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, can help

When people call our office after getting a serious traffic charge, they almost always ask the same question: “What happens now?”

That’s where we come in. At Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, we know that getting pulled over is scary enough. But when you’re suddenly facing criminal charges because of Maryland’s new Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, that speeding ticket could mean jail time. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen without a fight.

Let’s be honest: Maryland just made traffic law a lot tougher. The Kepp Act turned some violations, like driving 30 mph over the speed limit, into criminal offenses. That’s a big deal. But it also means the state has to prove more. And that gives us room to challenge what really happened.

One of the biggest advantages we bring to the table is real courtroom experience. We’ve built relationships over the years with prosecutors and judges across Maryland. That means we can often have conversations others can’t.

Maybe it’s your first offense, and no one was hurt. Or perhaps you had a good reason for what happened.

We use those facts to negotiate and to push for reduced charges, fewer points, or even probation before judgment, so your record stays clean. In some cases, we can work out a deal where you attend a driver improvement course instead of facing fines or jail time. And if the state won’t budge? We’re ready to take it to trial.

If you’ve been charged under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, or with any reckless, negligent, or aggressive driving offense, you need to act quickly. These cases don’t resolve themselves, and they definitely don’t go away quietly. But here’s the good news. You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here and we’ve done this before. Let’s sit down, talk it through, and build a plan that protects your license, your record, and your future.

If you received a traffic citation, call Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation at one of my offices in Annapolis or Ellicott City.

And remember: Keep Calm – and Call Drew.