It’s a well known fact that teenage driving can sometimes be on the risky side, but with harsher penalties coming down on Maryland speeders, will these habits finally be changing?
On Wednesday, Oct. 1st, the Kepp Act went into effect for Maryland, codifying speeds of 30 mph over the speed limit as reckless driving. This means being caught can result in consequences of up to 30 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.
On average, 23 people ages 16 to 20 die from car accidents in Maryland every year, and almost one-third of those deaths involve speeding.
RHS security guard Cynthia Curry commented on driving habits she’s seen on the roads.
“I can say not here, but when I’m driving around the area I notice a lot of the younger people drive faster,” Curry said.
While these behaviors are fortunately not seen at Rockville High School, they are still certainly concerning. Senior Filip Petkovic admits the new preventive measures established in the Kepp Law will have him watching his speed.
“I’ll definitely go a little slower, and I’ll be way more on the lookout for law enforcement and police because if I get pulled over I’m going to have to pay a lot of fines,” Petkovic said.
While Petkovic says he will follow the law, he doesn’t necessarily agree with the punishments that may come with breaking it.
“I feel like jail time should only be a thing if you’re putting other lives at risk. Like if I’m in the middle of an empty road and I get pulled over. I don’t think I should go to jail for that. I’m not putting anyone’s life in danger,” Petkovic said.
Closer to home, school business administrator David Stough says safety in the parking lot is crucial for Rockville High School.
“We have had students in the past who had their parking privileges revoked because of reckless driving on campus, and it’s really all about student safety. As you guys are walking to and from cars, if someone is speeding and driving crazy, they put you at risk, and I would not like that to be the case,” Stough said.
While Rockville takes its safety seriously, Stough did have a reminder he would like the student drivers of Rockville High School to hear.
“I think the most important thing is to think of yourself before you were driving, and walking around. There are always students walking around every corner, so just take your time,” Stough said. “If it costs you a minute to be late somewhere, that’s way better than getting into an accident and hurting somebody or hurting yourself, changing two people’s futures.”
