4th of July Drunk Drivers Target of State Crackdown

Jessup, MD — Maryland State Police will target drunk drivers over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which safety experts predict could be one of the deadliest holidays on the roads.

The state’s State Police Impaired DRiving Effort, or SPIDRE, will target drunk and drugged drivers through Monday. A recent forecast from the National Safety Council estimates that 466 people may be killed and an additional 53,600 may be seriously injured in crashes during the three-day weekend. This is the highest estimate of highway deaths for a three-day Independence Day holiday period since 2008.

Because this year’s holiday arrives at the end of a long weekend, Maryland officials are preparing for an increase in drunk drivers on the roads. Over the past five years, impaired drivers have accounted for roughly one-third of all roadway deaths in Maryland. On average, there are 7,884 impaired driving crashes statewide, resulting in 4,026 injuries and 171 fatalities every year.

• Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook.

“The Fourth of July arriving at the end of a long weekend is a recipe for disaster on our roadways,” said Transportation Deputy Secretary Jim Ports in a news release. “Impaired driving continues to be one of the most common causes of roadway fatalities in Maryland, and every single one of those deaths was preventable.”

SEE ALSO:

• Annapolis Police to Target 4th of July Weekend Drinkers, Drivers
• Free Cab Rides Offered July 4 to Stop Drunk Driving in Bowie, PG County
• Speed Camera Program Takes Effect on I-695 on Thursday
• Free Cab Rides Offered July 4 to Stop Drunk Driving in Bethesda, Rockville

Since its launch in 2013, the SPIDRE team has made nearly 5,400 traffic stops that resulted in 1,872 DUI arrests. In addition, more than 110 arrests have been made for criminal and drug-related offenses.

Maryland officials recommend these safe alternatives to impaired driving:

• Plan a safe ride home before the fun begins.
• Designate a sober driver or use public transportation to get home safely.
• Use Maryland’s ENDUI (End-DUI) app, which is free at the iTunes and Google Play stores. The app allows a user to find transportation options and estimate their blood alcohol concentration based upon drinks consumed.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, dial 911.
• If you know people who are about to drive after drinking, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

»Sobriety checkpoint photo from Prince George's County Police