The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act: What Maryland Drivers Need to Know

Between 2017 and 2021, Maryland averaged approximately 3,800 aggressive-driving crashes and about 40 fatal aggressive-driving crashes per year.

Given the unique dangers posed by aggressive driving, many community members, law enforcement professionals, and safety advocates have spent years pushing for legislative action. In 2025, the General Assembly finally responded by passing the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, a new law intended to increase penalties for drivers who engage in a variety of aggressive driving practices. Here’s a brief explanation of what’s in this new law and how it stands to impact drivers in and around Maryland.

Who is Sergeant Patrick Kepp?

Sergeant Patrick Kepp is a Montgomery County Police Department sergeant who was struck by a motorist traveling at over 100mph in 2023. Sgt. Kepp lost both of his legs in this horrific accident, and the driver responsible was found guilty of over 13 charges related to the incident. While the individual responsible for causing Sgt. Kepp’s catastrophic injuries was ultimately held accountable in a court of law, Sgt. Kepp’s case shed new light on the dangers posed by aggressive driving and excessive speed.

In response to Sgt. Kepp’s case, the Maryland General Assembly agreed to revisit the existing penalties for aggressive driving and ultimately passed legislation intended to crack down on reckless speeding and other unsafe driving practices. This legislation, known as the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, went into effect on October 1, 2025, giving motorists, pedestrians, and first responders a little added peace of mind while traveling on our local roads.

What does the new law do?

Under prior Maryland law, most speeding offenses were treated as mere traffic violations, many of which are punishable by fines and/or added points on a driver’s license. Under the new law, drivers will face harsher consequences in the event that they are found to have engaged in aggressive driving practices.

Here’s a quick overview of how the existing penalties for various driving offenses changed after the enactment of the Sgt. Patrick Kepp Act:

Offense	Prior Law	New Law
Negligent Driving	Fines of up to $500; One point added to the license; Three points added in the event of a crash	Fines of up to $750; Two points added to the license; Three points added in the event of a crash
Aggressive Driving	Fines of up to $500; Five points added to the license	Fines of up to $1,000; Five points added to the license
Reckless Driving	Fines of up to $1,000; Six points added to the license	Must-appear offense; Fines of up to $1,000; Up to 60 days imprisonment; Six points added to license
Speeding	Fines up to $425	Exceeding the speed limit by 30mph or more is penalized separately as reckless driving

As you can see, the penalties for all of these driving practices have gotten even more substantial. Perhaps the most significant change dictated by this law, however, is the new designation of excessive speeding as a reckless driving offense. In practice, this means that drivers who exceed the speed limit by 30mph or more could find themselves facing up to 60 days in prison in addition to hefty monetary fines.

What this means for you

In 2021, there were almost 140,000 speeding tickets issued to motorists in the state of Maryland. While research indicates that the vast majority of speeding tickets are issued to motorists driving up to 29mph over the speed limit, legislators hope that enhancing penalties for speeding and other violations will deter drivers from engaging in dangerous behaviors and reduce the frequency of speed-related crashes with catastrophic consequences.

Even if you think your driving is relatively safe, you may still find yourself facing harsher penalties for engaging in practices you once thought were harmless. Between steep fines, increased license points, and the threat of jail time, the risks of excessive speeding and other reckless behaviors far outweigh the benefits at this point in time.

What to do if you get a speeding ticket

Since the new legislation kicked in on October 1, 2025, it will be more important than ever for you to understand and exercise your rights in the event of a traffic stop. These increased penalties effectively raise the stakes for all motorists and make clear the need for reliable and knowledgeable legal counsel for any Maryland driver facing legal scrutiny.

If you receive a traffic ticket and you’re concerned about incurring life-altering penalties, you’ll want to partner with an experienced lawyer who can help you:

• Contest the ticket in court
• Challenge the accuracy of speed detection devices or other evidence
• Fight for reduced penalties

Under the new law, violations for aggressive driving practices like excessive speeding are not to be taken lightly. Taking swift action to protect your rights is one of the best ways to avoid harsh penalties like jail time, so the sooner you can get in touch with a lawyer, the better.

Remember: anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, so it might be a good idea to tread carefully and avoid speaking to law enforcement without an attorney. Your lawyer can advise you of what you should and should not say and ensure you do not inadvertently say or do anything that may negatively impact your case down the line.

Final thoughts

The passage of the Sgt. Patrick Kepp Act is an inflection point with respect to Maryland’s traffic safety enforcement protocols. While this legislation seeks to protect motorists and other community members from the potentially devastating consequences of reckless driving, some drivers may find themselves caught off guard by these new thresholds and penalties.

At Carey Law Office, LLC, we aim to stay one step ahead of changing legislation so we can provide our clients with the most up-to-date legal guidance possible. With over 40 years of experience supporting clients across our state, we understand the unique challenges drivers face when fighting back against traffic violations of all kinds.

If you or someone you know is charged under this new law, don’t write it off as just another speeding ticket. The stakes are too high for you to roll the dice. Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form to request a free consultation with a member of our team.