Road Rage, Dash Cams, and Reckless Driving in Maryland

 Posted on October 17, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Reckless driving does not always involve a crash, speeding, or driving while intoxicated. More and more often, Maryland prosecutors are charging road rage and aggressive driving incidents under Transportation Section 21-901.1(a). These charges may be based solely on obscene gestures, verbal threats, dangerous tailgating, brake-checking, or dash-cam footage of hostile driving behavior.

It is important to understand how Maryland law defines reckless driving and how reckless driving cases are prosecuted. A highly skilled Anne Arundel County, MD reckless driving attorney can ensure you receive a thorough defense and the best outcome possible.  

How Does Road Rage Become Reckless Driving?

When a driver’s anger leads to willful disregard for the safety of others, road rage can turn into reckless driving. Aggressive driving involves unsafe behaviors like speeding or tailgating, and road rage involves the intent to intimidate, threaten, or harm another person, using the vehicle as a weapon. Specific actions, like deliberately cutting another driver off, escalate aggressive driving into a potentially criminal reckless driving incident. The following deliberate actions can result in reckless driving charges:

• Intentionally tapping the bumper of another vehicle
• Using a vehicle to "shove" another car into a different lane
• Slamming on the brakes to force the car behind to stop
• Deliberately swerving toward another driver without impact
• Using a vehicle to block another driver or prevent them from passing
• Making verbal threats to another driver
• Physically assaulting another driver
• Deliberately passing on a double yellow line or a blind curve
• Excessive speed that places others in danger
• Using obscene gestures to escalate a road rage incident

What Is the Difference Between Negligent Driving and Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is deliberate and willful, showing a total disregard for the safety of others. Negligent driving is a failure to use caution. Aggressive driving involves tailgating, yelling, brake-checking, and speeding, but can quickly escalate to reckless driving when those behaviors become more extreme and show no regard for other drivers. Negligent driving is not willful or deliberate, but can escalate quickly when another driver responds to the negligent driving with road rage or deliberate reckless acts.

What Are Maryland Penalties for Reckless Driving?

The penalties for reckless driving in Maryland include fines of up to $1,000, up to 60 days in jail, and at least six points on the driver’s license. The driver convicted of reckless driving may also be required to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. In the past, reckless driving was not a jailable offense, but as of October 1, 2025, reckless driving in Maryland now has the potential for jail time (up to 60 days) under the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act. A reckless driving conviction can also increase auto insurance rates significantly, potentially for several years.   

What Must Prosecutors Prove to Obtain a Reckless Driving Conviction

The prosecutor must prove that the driver’s actions were deliberate or knowingly unsafe, rather than a moment of negligence. It must be shown that the behavior of the reckless driver placed another person or vehicle at risk of harm. Repeated aggressive acts can establish willfulness for reckless driving charges, even absent verbal threats. Supporting evidence could include 911 calls from witnesses, dash-cam or traffic-camera footage, driver admissions, and testimony regarding hand gestures or verbal aggression.

Common Defenses to Reckless Driving Charges

While each situation is different, a defense attorney may use one or more of the following defenses for reckless driving charges:

• Provocation
• Mutual aggression
• No proof of intent
• Unreliable video or witness evidence
• First Amendment considerations may show that obscene or angry gestures alone do not prove willful disregard.
• Vehicle malfunction
• Traffic patterns explain sudden driving maneuvers

Contact a Baltimore County, MD Traffic Offenses Lawyer

Frustration behind the wheel can lead to a reckless driving conviction, which in turn can result in long-term consequences. An experienced Anne Arundel County, MD reckless driving attorney from Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can challenge intent and protect your driving record from suspension or criminal escalation.  Attorney Snyder has 45 years of legal experience and helps his clients with personal coaching, trial prep, and more. He is available 24/7. To schedule your free consultation, call 301-762-7500.