Howard County Police Plan Sobriety Checkpoint for Labor Day Weekend

It’s a given that drivers should be sober before getting behind the wheel, but the Howard County Police Department has another reason people should make sure they’re fit for the road during the upcoming holiday—the department is conducting a sobriety checkpoint over Labor Day weekend.

The checkpoint will take place at an undisclosed location and time. Signs, lights and uniformed officers will clearly delineate the checkpoint, which is a joint effort with Maryland State Police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The sobriety checkpoint is one of several alcohol and drug-related enforcement initiatives the department conducts throughout the year. This one is funded in part by a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Howard County police arrested 1,165 people for driving under the influence in 2013, according to a statement from the Howard County Police Department. Of the fatal collisions in Howard County that year, 27 percent were related to alcohol, police said.

“Traffic crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for Maryland residents,” Howard County police reported.

The Howard County Police Department recommends these practices to stay safe:

• Drive sober.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Wear a seat belt.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Call 911 if there’s an impaired driver on the road.