Police to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint at Hatem Bridge

Officers will be out in force Friday night at the Hatem Bridge, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police announced.

Police will hold a sobriety checkpoint at the Hatem Memorial Bridge toll plaza on Friday, April 3, according to the announcement. The Hatem Bridge connects Havre de Grace and Perryville along US Route 40, with the toll plaza on the Perryville side.

Those driving while impaired will be arrested.

“Impaired driving is not an option. Before a motorist gets behind the wheel, they need to think about the consequences of their actions,” Maryland Transportation Authority Police Chief Colonel Michael T. Kundrat said.

One person died every 51 minutes in a crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Injuries resulting from impaired-driving crashes not only impact victims financially, but also affect their overall quality of life,” Kundrat said.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers arrested more than 1,000 impaired drivers in 2014.

In addition to arresting those driving under the influence, police will provide information to drivers Friday night about laws around impaired driving.

Want more news? Get the Havre de Grace Patch daily newsletter.