More people are being given jail time for reckless driving than for DUI's. This has all occurred within the last year when Maryland joined Virginia and other states in making reckless driving an incarcerable offense. This change in the law took effect October 1, 2025, and we now approach the one year anniversary.

The legislature has enacted a law that makes it a crime to operate a motor vehicle 30 or more miles over the speed limit. The maximum penalty is 60 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a conviction will give you six points on your license. (Eight points will cause your license to be suspended). In fact, judges all over the State of Maryland are sending people to jail for reckless driving. Judges in some counties are harsher than others.

If you receive a reckless driving ticket, you should retain counsel or go to the Public Defender. This is not an ordinary ticket. Judges and State's Attorneys are taking this very seriously. If your speed is extremely high, the consequences can be severe. If you are given jail time, they will put you in handcuffs immediately. You will then have to post an appeal bond if one is allowed.

There are steps that you can take to proactively mitigate your damages. First, you can do a driver improvement program. You take a course online and then take a test. When you pass the test, you will receive a Certificate which can be shown to the judge. There is a list of driver improvement programs on the Motor Vehicle Administration website.

In addition, you can do PADDD ("Positive Alternatives to Dangerous and Destructive Decisions") which is another online program. This is a reckless driving prevention program. You take a class online and then must write a paper. You then receive a Certificate of Completion.

Which one should you do? You should do both. You need all the ammunition you can get to avoid jail time in reckless driving cases.

You don't need to stop there. You can do community service. The more you do the better. You can do community service at the Humane Society, a food kitchen, or any number of places. You will need documentation of the dates and hours.

You should also download a copy of your driving record from the MVA. If you have a poor driving record, you are at high risk for jail time.

You may want a letter from your employer stating your need to keep your license to get to work and your grades and course schedule if you are a student. If you are young, have your parents come to court.

If you have a commercial driver's license or are on a provisional license, the stakes are much higher. You should discuss any additional consequences and sanctions with your lawyer.

We all need to watch our speed. It is not worth the risk of being sent to jail to get some place a few minutes sooner.