MD State Police To Increase Patrols Over Super Bowl Weekend

MARYLAND — Maryland State Police plan to increase patrols on some state highways this Super Bowl weekend, and troopers will be targeting impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

According to a release from state police, troopers from all 23 barracks will conduct high-visibility patrols on roads where impaired driving-related crashes often occur.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team will also be out to identify impaired drivers, authorities said.

Drivers are likely to see increased patrols and traffic stops on the following roads this weekend:

• Eastern Region: Troopers from the Berlin, Centreville, Easton, Princess Anne and Salisbury barracks will focus enforcement efforts on routes 301, 50, 90, 859, 13 and 413.
• Central Region: Troopers from the College Park, Forestville, Golden Ring, Rockville, Waterloo and Westminster barracks will conduct high-visibility enforcement on interstates 495 and 270, including routes 50, 5 and 301.
• Western Region: Troopers from the Cumberland, Frederick, Hagerstown and McHenry barracks will focus on crash reduction, DUI enforcement on interstates 70 and 81 and Route 40.
• Northern Region: Troopers from the Bel Air, JFK Memorial Highway and North East barracks will conduct high-visibility enforcement in areas with known DUI-related traffic incidents and throughout their counties.
• Southern Region: Troopers from the Annapolis, Glen Burnie, La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick barracks will patrol along routes 5, 235, 50, 295 and Interstate 97.

Last year, troopers made 81 arrests for driving under the influence and issued more than 5,700 citations and warnings during Super Bowl weekend. Additionally, troopers responded to 40 reported crashes.

If you are attending a Super Bowl gathering this weekend, Maryland State Police offered the following safety tips:

• Designate a sober driver in advance.
• If you’re planning on driving, avoid drinking. Consider using public transportation, call a taxi or use a ride-share service if you don’t have a sober driver.
• Do not let a friend drive if you suspect they are impaired.
• If you see or suspect an impaired driver, call 911.
• Stay alert and focused. Don’t text or drive distracted.
• Move over for all vehicles displaying warning signals. If it is not safe to move over, slow down.