Fourth Of July Weekend 2017 Travel: Maryland Drunk Driving Crackdowns, Gas Prices And More

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gas prices are at a 12-year low, so Marylanders are expected to flood the state's highway with trips to parks, beaches and fireworks shows to celebrate the Fourth of July in the busiest Independence Day on record. And both state and local police forces will have extra officers out looking for drunk drivers since people have more time to celebrate with many private companies closed on July 3 to extend the weekend.

Several jurisdictions will be out in force looking for drunk drivers. Troopers from the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack will stop impaired drivers with extra patrols starting Friday, June 30, while police from several agencies plan to conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Harford County.

For the fourth straight year, the State Police Impaired DRiving Effort (SPIDRE) team will focus on impaired drivers during the July 4 holiday. The SPIDRE team has made nearly 2,300 DUI arrests over the past four years. Officers will use a new Mobile Breath Alcohol Testing truck, specially-designed to process impaired drivers at the scene of arrest.

Also, MDTA Police patrols will be on the lookout for impaired drivers at Maryland toll facilities.

»SEE ALSO:

• Ocean City Fourth Of July 2017: 2 Fireworks Shows, Concerts, Parking Guide
• 4th of July Fireworks 2017: Maryland's Complete Schedule and Events Guide

Crowded Highways Likely

This year's Independence Day weekend travel volume on Maryland roads is expected to not only see the strongest growth since the end of the recession in 2009, but it should the busiest on record for the holiday, says AAA Mid-Atlantic. The agency estimates a historic 927,000 Marylanders will travel between June 30 ad July 4, a 2.9 percent increase from a year ago, and a 61 percent rise from the holiday’s post-recession low seen in 2009.

“The Fourth of July is typically the most traveled holiday of the summer, and this year will be no different. What’s different this year, however, is that it will be the busiest on record, thanks to stronger overall economic growth, employment, and stronger consumer sentiment, as well as rising incomes, compared to last year’s holiday,” said Ragina Cooper Averella, public and government affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The Maryland Transportation Authority says that if weather permits, two-way traffic operations will be implemented to help alleviate eastbound delays.

The best times to travel the Bay Bridge this weekend are:

• Thursday: Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Friday: Before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday: Before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Sunday: Before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Monday: Before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, 4th of July: Before 9 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.

Beach, Water Quality Alerts On Your Phone

If you want to check the water quality conditions for state parks and Maryland beaches, the Maryland Healthy Beaches website and smartphone app can help. The website lists beaches that are closed, under advisories or have algae blooms, and you can sign up for beach alerts as conditions change.

Through Labor Day, the Maryland Healthy Beaches website and app deliver updated information on conditions at the nearly 200 monitored beaches in Maryland, along with dos and don'ts for swimmers to stay healthy and waters to keep clean. The app is available for download via the App Store and Google Play.

Dropping Gas Prices, Road Safety

Unlike the Memorial Day weekend when drivers paid higher gas prices than the previous year’s holiday, residents hitting the road for the Fourth of July will likely find prices at the pump that are lower than the 2016 holiday. Today's Maryland’s average price at the pump is $2.22, reflecting a 6-cent drop compared to last year. The state average is 4 cents a gallon less than a week ago and 17 cents lower than last month’s price.

For the 2016 Fourth of July holiday, Maryland drivers filled up paying an average price of $2.27 per gallon.

AAA has online tools to help drivers save on gas:

• Fuel Price Finder locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• Fuel Cost Calculator helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile plots fuel prices along your travel route.

Rules of the Road:

• Devote your full attention to driving - it is illegal to text and use hand-held cell phones while driving in Maryland.
• Buckle Up! Every Seat. Every Time.
• State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck using visual signals. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
• Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals.
• Avoid changing lanes while traveling over bridges and through tunnels.
• Headlights are required at all times on the Bay Bridge.
• Keep your eyes on the road - do not sight-see.
• Do not tailgate - keep a safe following distance.
• Make sure your vehicle is "road ready."
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, remain inside and call #77 for assistance.

»Photo of Bay Bridge courtesy of Maryland Transportation Authority