DWI Checkpoint To Be Held March 15 In Harford County

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A driving while intoxicated checkpoint is planned for Friday, March 15, the Harford County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.

On average, more than 7,400 crashes involving an impaired driver occur on Maryland roads each year, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office.

State law requires a notice before checkpoints, although police do not have to reveal the specific area where officers will be. But the announcement drew questions and comments on the sheriff office's Facebook post, including suggestions that it be held on Sunday, March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day.

"Pull up, roll down your window, turn your radio down, answer 2 questions, thank the officer for being there, tell him to be safe in his duties and go on your way," wrote commenter Shawn Keene on the post. "Maybe the drunk they get won’t kill someone you know or love."

Almost 30 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017 involved drivers with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those more than 10,000 fatal crashes, officials said 885 happened in December.

People anywhere around the country can use the Safer Ride app, sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, to locate taxi services in the area.

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