In Maryland, a law to stop “super speeders” through technology goes into effect Oct. 1.
A similar law is already in effect in Virginia, where MCM spoke with Montgomery County Police Lt. Patrick Kepp and Olney resident Mindy Badin, both who personally know the urgency of making streets safer.
Kepp was struck on I-270 at more than 160 miles per hour, which resulted in both of his legs being amputated. The driver has a history of baiting police chases, according to police.
Badin’s son, Brett, got off a bus and was crossing Rockville Pike to meet his friends when he was struck by a driver and killed.
Years after both incidents, Maryland’s new “super speeders law” will require certain drivers to have a speed-limiting device — called Intelligent Speed Assistance — in their vehicles if they want to maintain driving privileges. It ss an alternative to having their license fully suspended or revoked due to speeding violations.
The system is GPS-guided and stops drivers from going over the speed limit. For example, it knows exactly when a driver crosses from a 35-mph area to a 40-mph area down to the foot. Once a driver hits the maximum speed allowed, they can floor the gas pedal, but they will not go faster. The device, from the company LifeSafer, that MCM has tested does have an override button to temporarily allow higher speed in an emergency situation. The device would be paid for by the person using it.
There is a year’s time allowed to set the program up, and implementation is required by Oct. 1, 2027. The program will continue until June 30, 2031.
After the law goes into effect in Maryland, it will create a regional effort to curb reckless driving, aligning with similar laws in Virginia and Washington, D.C. A bill to initiate the pilot was first introduced last year in the General Assembly.
