Extra State Police Patroling Maryland Roads For Thanksgiving 2022

PIKESVILLE, MD – With more than 1 million Marylanders expected to travel 50 or more miles this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Maryland State Police will increase patrols to target impaired, aggressive and distracted drivers, officials said.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, otherwise known as the SPIDRE team, will also patrol this weekend to remove dangerous drivers from Maryland highways who endanger the lives of other drivers. Enforcement with saturation patrols all of the state's 23 MSP barracks are planned, according to a news release.

From Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Saturday, Nov. 26, state police measures will include saturation patrols in areas known to have a higher number of DUI crashes or arrests.

According to AAA, 956,000 Marylanders will travel by car to their Thanksgiving destination. This heavy volume increases the chances of a crash involving an impaired, distracted or aggressive driver, state police said.

The National Safety Council estimated that 518 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday period.

Police urge drivers to plan for a sober driver and avoid driving while impaired. Motorists should put the cellphone down while behind the wheel and adhere to Maryland’s Move Over laws. Failing to follow these laws can lead to fines and/or imprisonment.

If you are convicted of driving under the influence:

• For a first offense, you face up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your driving record and your license may be revoked for up to six (6) months.
• For a second offense, you face a $2,000 fine and up to two years imprisonment (with a mandatory minimum of five days). Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your license and your license may be revoked for up to one year.
• For two convictions within five years, a mandatory period of suspension will be followed by a minimum required period of participation in the Ignition Interlock Program.
• You may be required to participate in an alcohol abuse assessment and program.

Maryland law prohibits the use of a handheld cellphone and texting while driving, state police said.

First-time offenders caught using a cellphone while driving face a maximum of an $83 fine, second-time offenders a maximum of $140 fine and third-time offenders a maximum of $160 fine. Drivers can also be fined $70 and face one point on their driving record if caught texting while driving. If cellphone use contributes to a crash, the fine may increase to $110 and three points on your driving record.

The increased enforcement effort against distracted driving comes after the passage of Jake’s Law. In effect since 2014, Jake’s Law is named after Jake Owen, who was 5 years old when he was killed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver in 2011.

The law says a driver causing serious injury or death while talking on a handheld cellphone or texting may receive up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Police officers can stop drivers if they see such a violation.

Maryland’s Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals — including hazard warning lights, road flares, or other caution signals such as traffic cones, caution signs, or non-vehicular warning signs.

If moving to another lane away from the stopped vehicle is not possible, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions. Violating the law is a misdemeanor with a $110 fine and one point on your license. If the violation causes a crash, the fine is $150 and 3 points. If there is a death or serious injury, the fine is $750 and 3 points.