Drive ’N Arrive #2

The goal of every vehicle journey is to arrive without a ticket or a crash.

This is the second in a series with updates and tips about safety on the road.

Readers, are you up to speed on the current Administration’s views about speed cameras?

If you missed it,Washington Post writer Rachel Weiner reported on Feb. 2, 2026, “The Trump administration is restricting cities from using road safety grants for automated cameras that enforce speed limits or other traffic laws, part of a shift away from safety measures that might slow or otherwise inconvenience car travel.

“The letters to city officials went out in December, saying that ‘for consistency with Administration priorities,’ traffic cameras outside of school or work zones will not be approved under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The program was created by the 2021 infrastructure law and funds projects aimed at eliminating traffic deaths.

“’This Administration will not allow critical safety dollars to subsidize the purchase of speed cameras so governments can pursue unfair revenue schemes,’ U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman Nathaniel Sizemore said in a statement.”

However, in advance of, and in a departure from the Federal directive, Maryland has put new camera speed penalties into place, effective October 1^st, 2025. Civil penalties are given on a tiered system: $40 if drivers are caught going 12 to 15 mph over the speed limit; $70 if drivers drive 16 to 19 mph over the speed limit; $120 if drivers drive 20 to 29 mph too fast; $230 for speeding 30 to 39 mph over the limit; and $425 for speeding 40 mph or more over limit.

For drivers caught speeding in highway work zones, penalties levy as high as $1,000.

Click on image to play NBC Washington news clip.

Also taking effect October 1^st, the Motor Vehicles Reckless, Negligent, and Aggressive Driving, or Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, enacted harsher penalties for reckless and negligent driving. Driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit now qualifies as reckless driving. Penalties include up to 60 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and six points on a driver’s license. For negligent driving, defined as operating a motor vehicle in a "careless or imprudent manner" that endangers any property or the life or person of any individual, penalties increased to a fine of up to $750 and two points, with additional consequences if a crash is involved. For aggressive driving, defined as three or more traffic violations in a single continuous period of driving, such as speeding, tailgating, unsafe passing, or failing to yield, penalties include fines of up to $1,000 and license points. 

Meeting in Annapolis for the Sergeant Kepp Act bill signing are (L-R) SafeRoadsMD Founder John Seng, Montgomery County Police Sergeant Patrick Kepp and AAA Public and Government Affairs Manager and SafeRoadsMD Board Member Ragina Ali. (SafeRoadsMD)

Sergeant Kepp lost both of his legs in 2023 after being struck by a speeding repeat offender. The Montgomery County Police Department urges all drivers to learn not only the law updates but also the reason behind the Kepp Act. Per the Department’s media press statement, “Awareness and education are needed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on all Maryland roads.”

Later in Rachel Weiner’s Washington Post article she writes, “Research indicates that speed, red-light and stop sign cameras are effective at reducing crashes and fatalities and popular with the public.”

Today’s driver tip: If you haven’t checked with your auto insurance company yet, they may offer a premium discount for safe driving habits. Companies may be able to use GPS on your phone to track behaviors such as speed, braking, accelerating, and distracted driving.

- By Rhona Bosin, SafeRoadsMD Communications Manager