Drunk-Driving Crackdown Dedicated to Montgomery Cop

The Maryland State Police is warning drivers they can expect enforcement of speed, seatbelt laws and drunk driving laws this holiday, so line up a sober driver if you plan to drink.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort and troopers statewide will be out in force focusing efforts on impaired, distracted, and aggressive drivers. This effort this year is dedicated to a Montgomery County Police officer, Noah Leotta, who was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver.

“There is no excuse for impaired driving, so we will accept no excuse,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William M. Pallozzi said. “State troopers and law enforcement officers throughout Maryland are focused on identifying and arresting impaired drivers, whose numbers always increase during the holiday season. We are dedicating our efforts this year to the memory of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta, who was struck less than three weeks ago by an alleged impaired driver and died at the age of 24.”

Montgomery County and Prince George’s County authorities are urging revelers to use Sober Ride or another service to get safely home from the bars.

• If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, include a sober driver in your plans.
• If you will be drinking, designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• When you know you’ll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.

SoberRide offers free taxi rides to impaired persons (up to a $30 fare) through Jan. 1. The service is available from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. Call 1- 800-200-TAXI to arrange for a ride. Users must be age 21 or older.

All calls must originate in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, or in the cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park.

You cannot reserve a SoberRide or schedule a pickup in advance. To receive a ride, you must call 1-800-200-8294 (TAXI) during the program hours. A SoberRide call operator will direct your request to the correct participating cab company.

Participating Taxi Companies in Maryland:
Barwood, Inc. (Montgomery County)
Silver Cab of Prince George’s County (Prince George’s County)

Impaired drivers can face jail time, lose their driver’s licenses, incur higher insurance rates, and dozens of other expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing repairs, to lost wags due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can claim someone’s life, or even their own.

Follow these tips to keep Maryland roads safe:

• Have a plan before you drink any alcoholic beverages. One drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk.
• Designate a driver.
• Be attentive while traveling this holiday.
• Ensure everyone is secured by a seatbelt.
• Call 911 to report drunk drivers.