Extra MD Patrols Target Impaired Drivers Through Jan. 1

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland State Police warn residents to be on the lookout for drunk drivers the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Celebrations often involve alcohol, so troopers encourage Marylanders to find a safe ride home and be careful on the road.

Extra officers will be on duty to search for impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. These offenses, plus speeding, often contribute to fatal accidents, especially during the holidays, the agency said in a news release.

In 2020, 548 people died as a result of a vehicle crash in Maryland, state police said. Those deaths included 120 from impaired driving, 55 from aggressive driving and 205 from distracted driving.

Highway safety grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office will pay officers to work overtime during the holidays.

Along with DUI saturation patrols and checkpoints focused on high crash and impaired driving areas throughout the state, many barracks will also have community-specific efforts. This includes:

• The Waterloo Barrack will augment patrols and conduct DUI enforcement on I-95 and I-70 in Howard County.
• The Frederick Barrack will concentrate enforcement efforts on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving in high crash areas.
• The Cumberland Barrack will focus on impaired driving crashes and high crash areas along Interstate 68.
• The Bel Air Barrack will conduct aggressive and distracted driving enforcement on Routes 1, 40 and 24. New Year’s DUI enforcement will concentrate on the town of Bel Air area.
• The Salisbury Barrack will focus enforcement along US Routes 50 and 13 in known high crash areas.
• The Hagerstown Barrack will conduct high visibility patrols through the week. Troopers will concentrate efforts on Route 70 while enforcing seat belt laws throughout the holiday week.
• The Centreville Barrack will ramp up enforcement along US Routes 50 and 301.
• The Prince Frederick Barrack will conduct high visibility enforcement with an emphasis on impaired and aggressive driving in DUI/collision hot spots.
• The Princess Anne Barrack will primarily focus on its designated DUI hit spots, which include US Route 13 and 413.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, otherwise known as the SPIDRE team, will also be out all week to curb alcohol-related crashes by targeting areas with high crash rates involving impaired drivers.

Authorities estimate it costs someone arrested for impaired driving about $10,000 for legal fees, fines, lost wages and other expenses. If a crash occurs, the cost goes up exponentially.

Here are some tips for drivers and pedestrians to help reduce the chances of fatalities on Maryland roads:

Safety Tips for Drivers

• Look for pedestrians walking along the roadway and at crossings and intersections.
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks as required by Maryland law.
• Be careful passing stopped vehicles. If a car is stopped at a marked crosswalk, stop and look for crossing pedestrians as required by Maryland law.
• Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
• Yield to pedestrians when turning.
• Use extra caution at night when it may be harder to see pedestrians attempting to cross the road.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
• Cross the street at marked crosswalks and at intersections. Many pedestrian crashes occur at midblock locations where drivers do not expect pedestrians.
• Obey traffic signals, including pedestrian signals.
• Before crossing, look left, right and left again to make sure you can cross safely.
• Look before stepping past stopped vehicles. They may be blocking your view of moving traffic.
• Stay visible after dark and in bad weather. Help drivers see you by wearing retro-reflective material in low lighting conditions. This includes those wearing costumes while trick-or-treating.
• Use caution around any vehicle backing out of parking spaces and driveways.