HoCo DUI Checkpoint Planned Thanksgiving Weekend: Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Police Department will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The checkpoint will be marked with lights, signs and officers in uniform.

So far this year, Howard County officials say that police have arrested more than 740 drivers for driving under the influence.

The sobriety checkpoint is designed to curb drunk driving and raise awareness about the dangers of driving while under the influence.

Police said this week that 30 percent of fatal crashes in Howard County year-to-date were related to alcohol.

In addition to the county police, state troopers from the Waterloo barrack will be among those conducting DUI saturation patrols on state roads.

The location of the Thanksgiving weekend checkpoint was not disclosed.

By law, authorities must announce sobriety checkpoints. A Supreme Court case in 1990 determined citizens' rights against unlawful search and seizure are not violated if checkpoints are publicized in advance.

According to police, it can cost more than $10,000 for a DUI, which may result in fines, DUI classes, fees and license suspensions.

The legal blood alcohol concentration is .08 percent in Maryland.

Throughout the holiday season, Howard County police said that officers will be conducting DUI patrols.

Police encourage drinkers to download the Safer Ride app, which is sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and pulls up taxi services in the area.

Howard County police noted that officers will not just be on the lookout for drunk drivers; they will also be watching for distracted drivers, speeders and those who are not wearing seat belts, not using child safety seats properly and violating other traffic codes.

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