This year has seen an increase in an increased severity of fines for drivers who are caught excessively breaking the speed limit. Speeding accounts for approximately one-third of deaths and serious injuries on the road, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In order to combat this to keep all road users safe on the ride, this one state will see a massive change for drivers, with increased fines and the risk of jail time on the line.
States see a rise in severe penalties for reckless driving
Keeping the roads safe by ensuring that all road users follow the law is no small feat. It is for this reason that road policies and legislation are constantly under review and up for changes to respond to the realities of the road, where driving behaviors are subject to change, as well as the vehicles themselves changing.
The most common way local and state governments target drivers who are conducting unsafe driving practices is by increasing the severity of the penalties associated with breaking the laws of the road. These penalties range from fines that can rack up thousands of dollars to needing to serve jail time, usually for repeat offenders. In addition, automated camera technology has recently become more prevalent across states in order to assist law enforcement with enforcing these penalties for drivers who are caught breaking the law.
New fines and jail time in this one state
Different states have different practices when it comes to the fines associated with drivers who are caught speeding. While some take a tiered approach where the higher you speed, the higher your fine is, others have a more blanket approach. To date, the state with one of the most severe penalties associated with speeding is Nevada, where first-time offenders can be fined up to $1,000.
Recently, Maryland will be joining those states with severe speeding penalties. From October 1, penalties for reckless and negligent driving will be raised, with the following changes to be expected:
- Reckless driving: Drivers previously were only subject to fines; now, such a conviction carries the risk of being fined up to $1,000 as well as 60 days’ worth of jail time.
- Negligent driving: If convicted, drivers now have the potential to be fined up to $750.
SB590 in the Maryland General Assembly also describes how reckless driving includes anyone caught driving 30mph or more over the speed limit. In addition, you can also be fined up to $1,00 for aggressive driving, which is defined as meeting three of the following criteria:
- Disobeying traffic lights with steady indications
- Improper overtaking or passing
- Passing on the right
- Failure to maintain a lane
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Speeding over the maximum speed limit
How automated technology keeps the roads safe
In addition to new penalties for speeding drivers being seen across the nation, automated camera technology is on the rise in assisting law enforcement in identifying speeding drivers. While some locations, such as New York City, have been using this technology for years, others are only just now passing legislation that allows law enforcement to start implementing it.
Further, automated camera technology also helps to identify other road policy violations, such as illegally parked vehicles. While some have been resistant to the technology over privacy concerns, others have embraced the technology as a way to ensure that drivers are reminded of their responsibility to conduct safe driving practices. As a driver, you are not only responsible for your own life on the road but also the lives of others, making it critical that you do not break the laws of the road.
