Sobriety Checkpoint Planned July 4 In Rockville: State Police

ROCKVILLE, MD — With the Fourth of July here, Rockville area families will be traveling to celebrate, and troopers from the Rockville Barrack of the Maryland State Police, along with other law enforcement agencies, will target impaired drivers.

On Thursday night, July 4, troopers in Montgomery County will conduct a sobriety checkpoint. The goal will be to locate impaired drivers and to promote public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, authorities said.

If your holiday weekend plans include alcoholic beverages, state police urge you to have a designated driver. "Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive," state police said.

Every year more than 160 lives are lost in Maryland in crashes involving impaired drivers and thousands more are injured, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Maryland DUI Laws

If you test above the legal limit for alcohol (0.08 BAC), or refuse an officer’s request to submit to a chemical test for alcohol or drug use, you will be issued an Order of Suspension (form #DR-015A) along with your traffic citation(s). The police officer will confiscate your Maryland driver's license and may issue you a 45-day temporary paper license.

For more information visit, see Alcohol Test Failure or Refusal.

If you were operating a commercial vehicle or are a commercial driver license holder at the time of your stop, you are also subject to the disqualification of your commercial driving status. For more information about penalties for commercial license drivers and operators of commercial vehicles, also see the Commercial Driver’s License Manual.

IMPAIRED DRIVING CONVICTIONS

If you are convicted of an impaired driving offense, you face both criminal penalties and license sanctions.

If you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol:

• For a first offense, you face up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your driving record and your license may be revoked for up to six (6) months.
• For a second offense, you face a $2,000 fine and up to two years imprisonment (with a mandatory minimum of five days). Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your license and your license may be revoked for up to one year.
• For two convictions within five years, a mandatory period of suspension will be followed by a minimum required period of participation in the Ignition Interlock Program.
• You may be required to participate in an alcohol abuse assessment and program.

If you are convicted of Driving while Impaired by Alcohol (DWI):

• For a first offense, you face up to a $500 fine and up to two months imprisonment. Eight (8) points will be assessed on your driving record, and you face a 6-month license suspension. If this conviction is the result of a driver under 21, you will face a 1-year suspension.
• For a second DWI offense, you face up to a $500 fine and up to one year imprisonment. Eight (8) points will be assessed on your driving record, and you face a license suspension of 9 to 12 months. If this conviction is the result of a driver under 21, you will face a 2-year suspension.

The penalties are substantially higher if you are transporting a minor at the time of the offense or for a third offense.