Police Roll Out Extra DUI Patrols For This Holiday Weekend

MARYLAND — Maryland State Police plan to increase patrols on some state highways this Cinco de Mayo weekend, and troopers will target impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

According to a release from state police, troopers from all 23 barracks will conduct high-visibility patrols on roads where impaired driving-related crashes often occur. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team will also be out to identify impaired drivers, authorities said.

Drivers are likely to see increased patrols and traffic stops on these roads Friday, May 2, through Monday, May 5:

• Central Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police College Park, Forestville, Golden Ring, Rockville, Waterloo, and Westminster barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along Interstates 495, 95, Maryland 185, 97, 193, and throughout their respective counties.
• Northern Region: Troopers from the Bel Air, JFK Memorial Highway, and North East barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along areas known to have a higher number of impaired driving crashes and throughout their respective counties.
• Southern Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Annapolis, Glen Burnie, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along U.S. Route 50, Maryland Route 5, Interstate 97, and throughout their respective counties.
• Eastern Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin, Centreville, Easton, Princess Anne, and Salisbury barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along U.S. Routes 13, 50, 404, Maryland Route 413, and throughout their respective counties.
• Western Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Cumberland, Frederick, Hagerstown, and McHenry barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along areas known to have a higher number of impaired driving crashes and throughout their respective counties.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, on average, 158 people are killed each year due to impaired driving and over 2,700 are injured. Over the past five years in Maryland, nearly 800 people have lost their lives in a crash involving an impaired driver.

"There are many ways to prevent these tragedies including rideshare services, taxis, designating a sober driver or public transportation," officials said in a news release.

If you are attending a function where alcohol is served, Maryland State Police offered the following safety tips:

• Designate a sober driver in advance.
• If you’re planning on driving, avoid drinking. Consider using public transportation, call a taxi or use a ride-share service if you don’t have a sober driver.
• Do not let a friend drive if you suspect they are impaired.
• If you see or suspect an impaired driver, call 911.
• Stay alert and focused. Don’t text or drive distracted.
• Move over for all vehicles displaying warning signals. If it is not safe to move over, slow down.

A portion of the costs for the increased enforcement efforts will be paid through funds provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.