Sobriety Checkpoint In Harford County Planned Ahead Of Labor Day

BEL AIR, MD — As people make plans for the Labor Day weekend, Maryland State Police want to ensure those who are planning on drinking alcohol have a sober ride home. Troopers from the Bel Air barrack will be conducting holiday patrols throughout the weekend and say they will kick off their enforcement efforts with a sobriety checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 31.

The location of the checkpoint was not disclosed.

The goal is to promote awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to take those who put the lives of others at risk off the road.

A drunken driving arrest can lead to jail time, classes, license suspension and expenses exceeding $10,000, according to police.

"The cost of a ride home is cheap," Maryland State Police said in a statement. "...impairment by alcohol or drugs can be deadly."

Drinkers are encouraged designate a sober driver or get the Safer Ride app, which is sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and pulls up taxi services in the area.

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

By law, officials must announce the checkpoint in advance.

Following a Supreme Court case regarding the 4th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, the court ruled that citizens' rights to security against unlawful search and seizure are not violated if the checkpoint is publicized in advance.

This is the second DUI checkpoint in Harford County in a week. Last Friday, the Harford County Sheriff's Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint as well.

Photo from the Aug. 24 checkpoint courtesy of the Harford County Sheriff's Office.