Brand new tickets are in store for drivers in this state. Speeding is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem, and local law enforcements across states are needing to resort to drastic actions in order to communicate to drivers in their respective states that this practice will not be tolerated. These solutions to stamping out speeding once and for all include higher fines associated with speeding tickets, automated camera technology to monitor the roads, jail time as a penalty for being convicted of speeding, and even points against your license.
Stamping out speeding once and for all
Ensuring that all drivers are adhering to legal road practice and conduct is critical for the safety of all road users. It is as much your civic duty and responsibility to ensure that you adhere to the laws of the road. Speeding and distracted driving in particular contribute the most to road accidents’ injuries and fatalities. With the release of the smartphone, distracted driving has become a major concern for law enforcement with the rise in texting and driving.
“Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed,” describes the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) on their website.
However, even with the enactment of increasingly severe penalties for drivers, the responsibility still falls on drivers to follow the laws and reject a mindset of subjectivity when it comes to adhering to these laws. In order for these laws to actually be followed, drivers must respect the dignity and safety of all road users and to not prioritize their own needs over those of others.
New speeding tickets for these drivers
Maryland has been particularly coming down hard on its drivers who continue to break the laws of the road. Keeping with this, the Maryland General Assembly House Bill 182 is set to go into effect on October 1, which will update the state’s new tiered fining system from the $40 flat speeding fine, which was in operation previously.
This new fining system, which will go into effect statewide from the October starting date, will see the following fining system implemented:
- $425 for 40 mph or more over the limit.
- $230 for 30–39 mph.
- $120 for 20–29 mph.
- $70 for 16–19 mph.
- $40 for 12–15 mph.
Additionally, the legislation outlines how these fines will be implemented with the assistance of automated camera technology. Automated camera technology to catch speeding drivers has been on the rise across states, ensuring that the roads are monitored at all times.
This state continues to update its driving legislation
On top of the new tiered speeding ticket system, Maryland has been implementing other driving legislation, which tightens penalties for drivers who continue to not adhere to the laws of the road. These new changes are also expected to begin from October 1, with the following penalties to be implemented if you are convicted of reckless and negligent driving:
- Reckless driving: While previously only facing a fine as a penalty, if convicted of this behaviour, drivers now risk increased fines of up to $1,000 in addition to 60 days’ worth of jail time.
- Negligent driving: If you are convicted of this behaviour, Maryland drivers could now face a fine of $750.
In addition to these new changes, you can also face a fine of up to $1,000 from the authorities if you are deemed to have been aggressively driving, thereby intimidating other drivers and encouraging unlawful behaviour. Maryland is setting an example to other states in showcasing that that they are taking a zero-tolerance policy towards drivers who continue to engage in reckless and dangerous behaviour which endangers the lives of others.
