Maryland’s Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act: What Drivers Must Know

Maryland drivers have always known that speeding means risking a ticket and inflated insurance rates—but now, speeding doesn’t just mean a ticket. A recently passed law known as the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act means that some speeding drivers will face jail time.

This law is named after an Officer whose life was changed forever by a speeding driver. Learn more about what this law means for Maryland drivers and what you should do if you are arrested for speeding. Looking for more personalized assistance after an arrest? Call Drew Cochran, Attorney At Law to discuss your options now.

Who is Sergeant Patrick Kepp?

The Kepp Act is rooted in tragedy. In 2023, Sergeant Patrick Kepp was on the side of I-95 conducting a traffic stop. The Officer was struck by a speeding driver, and as a result of the accident, he lost both legs. This tragedy caught the attention of the entire state, forcing legislators to consider the dangers of high-speed drivers on Maryland highways.

The outcome was the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, which lawmakers passed to crack down on extreme speeding and prevent accidents similar to the one that injured Sergeant Kepp. The law takes effect in 2025, so drivers are just starting to feel the effects of it.

The core of the law

At the heart of the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act is an effort to discourage drivers from excessive and negligent speeding. Before this act went into effect, speeding was generally a payable citation; even if a driver was pulled over for going 35 MPH over the speed limit. They could pay it, deal with the increase in car insurance, and move on.

The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act changes that. Drivers who are caught speeding 30 MPH or more over the speed limit face criminal charges. This means that what was once a ticket now means you’ll have to go in front of a judge, plead guilty or not guilty, and face the possibility of jail time.

In addition to changing how excessive speeding is handled, this act more heavily penalizes drivers who drive negligently. Rather than a $500 fine, drivers can face fines as high as $750. This act takes a multifaceted approach to reducing dangerous driving; it may discourage speeding both by increasing financial penalties and by putting the possibility of jail time on the table.

The criteria for aggressive driving are also lowered in the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act. Rather than officers having to prove that a driver committed three offenses, they just have to identify two. There are also additional aggressive driving behaviors now on the list, which means that behaviors that would not have resulted in an aggressive driving offense a year ago could mean an aggressive driving offense now. This means fines as high as $1,000, points on your license, and higher insurance rates.

Why this matters for everyday drivers

When you scan the Kepp Act, it seems like common sense. Most people don’t think it will have any effect on them—the average person probably can’t even remember the last time they drove more than 30 MPH over the speed limit. However, everyone has good and bad days on the road. If you’re unlucky enough to have a police officer in the vicinity on one of your bad days, you could end up with criminal charges, high fines, and points on your driver’s license.

Consider, for example, the expanded aggressive driving definition. Offenses on this list include passing on the right, following too closely, failure to yield the right-of-way, and speeding. If you’re running late to work, annoyed at traffic, or dealing with bad news, it’s fairly easy to do any or all of these on a trip. Getting six points on your license can dramatically increase insurance rates and can change your financial stability.

Additionally, many people are surprised at just how easy it is to accidentally travel more than 30 MPH over the speed limit. Consider construction zones, where the speed limits are much lower than normal. Even if you’re driving in a construction zone on a day that no one’s working, you still have to obey the posted speed limit. It’s not uncommon for drivers to get stuck on mental autopilot and keep up with the flow of traffic, not realizing that the speed limit where they are is actually much lower than they think.

But when you get stopped, keeping up with the flow of traffic isn’t a valid defense. On Maryland’s busiest highways, it’s not uncommon to see people driving 30 MPH or more over the speed limit—and if you try to keep up with them, you could face criminal charges.

National trends

The Kepp Act is not the only law targeting aggressive driving behaviors and excessive speeding. This act is part of a larger national crackdown on unsafe driving behaviors that put other road users at risk. Maryland isn’t a trendsetter in this area; it’s right in line with other states across the country. No matter where you go, you should be aware of the risks of speeding.

Facing criminal charges? Contact Drew Cochran, Attorney At Law.

Being arrested for excessive speeding can leave you panicked and uncertain of what you should do next. Before you talk to the police or do anything else, call us to talk to a speeding violations lawyer in Annapolis. We can help you move forward confidently with your future in mind. Set up a consultation now by calling us or reaching out online right away.