How the Kepp Act Compares to Other States’ Laws

Maryland’s new Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act has changed how excessive speeding is punished throughout the state. For the first time in Maryland, driving more than 30 MPH over the speed limit isn’t just a citable offense—it’s a crime. This law, passed in 2025, honors Sergeant Patrick Kepp. During a traffic stop, he was hit by a speeding driver and lost both of his legs as a result.

While Maryland may be the latest state to criminalize speeding, it certainly is not the first. Learn more about how other states address speeding—and if you’re facing misdemeanor charges because of speeding, let’s talk. Call Drew Cochran, Attorney At Law, to discuss your legal options and defense with a speeding violations lawyer now.

What the Kepp Act does

If you’ve only heard the Kepp Act talked about in passing, it’s important to understand exactly what it does and how it may affect your driving choices. The Kepp Act sets a clear limit—if a driver is caught driving more than 30 MPH over the speed limit, they can be charged with reckless driving as a misdemeanor. This is a significant change from how speeding was treated in the past. Even at 30+ MPH over, drivers would usually just face citations. But when you’re charged with a crime, you have to go to court—and you could even end up with a criminal record. The potential penalties for this offense include up to 60 days in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and six points on your license.

Neighboring states and their laws

There are several other states in this part of the country that have laws somewhat similar to Maryland’s. They include:

• Virginia: Virginia is known by people across the country for its aggressive speeding laws. In Virginia, you can be convicted of reckless driving for driving more than 20 MPH over the speed limit or exceeding 85 MPH, regardless of the speed limit. Fines can be as high as $2,500.
• Washington, D.C.: Much like Maryland’s Kepp Act, Washington, D.C. has a law that criminalizes excessive speeding. It’s considered reckless driving if a driver is 20 MPH or more over the limit and aggravated reckless driving if they’re 30 MPH or more over the limit.
• Pennsylvania: Compared to Maryland, Pennsylvania is significantly more lenient with drivers ignoring the speed limit. Even if a driver is 30 MPH over the speed limit, it’s not automatically a crime. While driving 31 MPH or more over the limit leads to a required meeting with the PennDOT, it isn’t a criminal offense.

Maryland’s choice to make excessive speeding a crime puts it well within range of what many of its neighboring states are doing.

Other states with tough speeding laws

Across the country, more and more states are coming down hard on habitual speeders. Although vehicles become safer with each passing year, accident and injury rates stay the same—or get worse. These laws may be an effort to make the roads safer and save lives. Some states that make speeding a criminal offense include:

• Arizona, where driving more than 20 MPH over the speed limit is a class 3 misdemeanor.
• In Illinois, where driving 26-35 MPH over the speed limit on the highway may be convicted for a Class B misdemeanor, and driving more than 35 MPH over is considered a Class A misdemeanor.
• Louisiana, reckless operation is a misdemeanor (up to 90 days), but there’s no fixed MPH threshold—it depends on driving behavior and circumstances.
• Oklahoma, where speeding violations are generally treated as misdemeanors.

What this means for drivers

The wide range of ways in which states handle speeding shows how important it is to know the laws of the state you’re in when you’re traveling. If you’re from a state where speeding only leads to a fine, ending up in handcuffs while traveling in a state that criminalizes speeding can be an unpleasant surprise.

Drivers tend to assume that driving laws are the same—or at least very similar—across state lines. However, the Kepp Act shows that this simply isn’t true. A speed that could lead to a fine in Pennsylvania could result in jail time in Maryland.

This is especially important for those who live in this region, where crossing state lines on a daily basis isn’t out of the norm. Commuters who work in Washington, D.C. but drive in from neighboring states may be subject to several sets of traffic laws throughout the day.

Ideally, of course, everyone would always obey the speed limit, and knowing each state’s laws wouldn’t matter. Realistically, speeding is an incredibly common driving behavior, and it’s important for drivers to know the risks they’re taking when they’re traveling over state lines.

For Maryland drivers, commuters or not, the message is clear—if you drive 30 MPH or more above the speed limit, be prepared to end up in front of a judge. This shift from citations to criminal charges is part of a growing national trend, and you need to know what to expect if you’re pulled over.

Arrested for excessive speeding in Maryland? Reach out to Drew Cochran, Attorney At Law.

If you’re facing criminal charges due to speeding in Maryland, it is crucial that you protect your rights and your future just as aggressively as you would if you were facing other criminal charges. A criminal conviction could derail your life, but you don’t have to face your charges alone. Call us or contact us online right away to set up a consultation.