DUI Crackdown Targets Bay Bridge To Ocean City Corridor

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A statewide crackdown on drunken drivers is under way and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 3. This weekend, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police will target impaired drivers on all MDTA roadways, with a border-to-border focus on the U.S. 50 corridor from the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge to Ocean City.

The effort is part of the next wave of Checkpoint Strikeforce, which takes place throughout the state from Aug. 17 through Labor Day. MDTA Police officers aim to spot and deter impaired drivers. Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs will be stopped, arrested and prosecuted, the agency said in a news release. It is estimated that a being arrested on DUI charges can cost drivers more than $10,000 and possible points on their driving record.

“Drivers who drive drunk or drugged make a choice. It’s a dangerous choice that can injure or kill anyone on the road, including themselves. This is a totally preventable problem,” said MDTA Police Chief Col. Jerry Jones in a news release.

• Choose a designated driver.
• Call a taxi or ride share service.
• Take public transportation.

And don't forget the best times to cross the bridge in these last weeks of summer:

• Thursday and Friday - before 10 a.m and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday - before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Sunday - between 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

Check traffic conditions before you hit the road:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions.
• Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
• Follow the MDTA at twitter.com/TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
• Ease your travel with E-ZPass. Visit ezpassmd.com to enroll online and for a list of E-ZPass "On the Go" retail locations.
• Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov. Call 511 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information.

The MDTA Police supports the “Toward Zero Deaths” campaign -- a partnership to save lives and prevent injuries on Maryland’s roadways. For more information, visit towardzerodeathsmd.com.

Photo of Bay Bridge courtesy of Maryland Transportation Authority