Bel Air Targeted For St. Patrick's Day Patrols: Police

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Troopers around the state will be out in force, including in Bel Air, around St. Patrick's Day. They will be along the Route 40 corridor as well.

Officers from the Bel Air Barrack will saturate the Bel Air area with the Harford Traffic Task Force, focusing on areas where DUI crashes or arrests may be concentrated, according to Maryland State Police.

In addition, troopers will be along the Route 40 corridor targeting drug-related impaired driving, police said. Officers from the North East Barrack have partnered in the effort with the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Cecil County Sheriff's Office, Perryville Police Department, Elkton Police Department and Delaware State Police.

Authorities say they expect an increase in impaired driving statewide around St. Patrick's Day.

"We have the Traffic Task Force working and additional deputies assigned to impaired driving patrols," the Harford County Sheriff's Office said. "Enjoy the day and all its festivities, just be responsible. If you plan to partake of the adult beverages, make arrangements ahead of time for a safe ride home. Don’t be a party pooper!"

Here are some numbers for local cabs:

• Victory Cab in Aberdeen: 410-838-5700
• ABC Taxi in Aberdeen: 410-272-0272
• Montville Taxi in Havre de Grace: 410-939-0900
• We Got Cha Taxi in Aberdeen: 410-937-7917

Through March 20, Maryland State Police will conduct saturation patrols at each of its 23 barracks focused on aggressive, distracted and impaired driving, with funding from the state's highway safety office.

Police said 151 people died on Maryland roads from impaired driving crashes in 2019, a year in which over 3,200 drivers were injured while impaired.

In Maryland, the legal blood alcohol limit is .08.