MD Troopers Looking For DUIs, Distracted Drivers This Weekend

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland State Police will be out in droves Labor Day Weekend looking for impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, speeders and distracted drivers among other potential violators. Additional troopers will be on patrol to help keep traffic flowing, respond to any vehicular accidents and assist with any offenders, the department shared.

Troopers from the JFK Highway Barrack patrol I-95 from north of Baltimore to the Delaware line will be conducting operation S.A.F.E (Saturated Aggressive Focused Enforcement), which focuses on keeping interstate traffic moving and minimizing delays caused by crashes and traffic violations. Troopers also will be working high visibility patrols at the Maryland House and Chesapeake House rest areas to deter crime and assist travelers moving through the state.

Troopers from the Golden Ring, Westminster, Bel Air, Waterloo, Glen Burnie and North East Barracks will all be conducting DUI saturation patrols in their counties beginning Aug. 29.

The Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland and McHenry barracks are deploying extra troopers along I-70 and I-68, with the largest number of troopers on patrol during the peak travel times. They will focus on keeping traffic moving and assisting motorists who need help.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will be continuing its two-week long passenger safety initiative Aug. 29- 30 to increase commercial vehicle enforcement and criminal interdiction efforts leading up to the Labor Day holiday weekend. Due to reduced commercial vehicle traffic over the holiday weekend, all officers from this division will continue inspecting vehicles and assist other officers as need. Personnel from the New Market and West Friendship facilities will conduct traffic enforcement along the I-70 corridor starting Aug. 30 through the holiday.

Troopers from the Rockville, Forestville and College Park Barracks will have increased patrols on I-495, I-95 and I-270. Troopers will be conducting DUI saturation patrol and seat belt initiatives in their counties. Increased patrols will begin Aug. 29 through the holiday.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, otherwise known as the SPIDRE team, also will be out in full force this weekend. They will be deployed in Baltimore County, working in conjunction with the Baltimore County Police Department’s DUI team to focus on DUI saturation patrols. The goal of the SPIDRE team is to focus on reducing alcohol related crashes in Maryland by targeting areas across the state with high crash rates involving impaired drivers.

In addition to working enforcement in cooperation with local police departments, troopers will be working closely with personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. SHA provides significant help arranging detours at crash sites and conducting courtesy patrols to assist motorists.

Drivers can check travel conditions and delays before traveling. SHA provides up-to-date traffic and road conditions at roads.maryland.gov, or chart.state.md.us. Traffic conditions are also available at md511.org, or by safely dialing 511 on your cell phone.