MD State Police Target Impaired Drivers Over 2024 Holidays

MARYLAND — Extra troopers across the state will be working through the Christmas and New Year's holidays to prevent and target impaired, distracted, and aggressive drivers as millions of Marylanders hit the roads for holiday travel.

State troopers from all 23 barracks, including the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, will crack down on problem drivers by conducting saturation patrols on roads with high driving under the influence incidents.

State police said Wednesday the extra patrols run for the next two weeks.

AAA Mid-Atlantic expects more than 2.3 million Marylanders will travel during the year-end holiday period, an increase of more than 2 percent from last year. Extra travelers will be on the state's highways Dec. 19 through Jan. 2.

According to the MVA’s Highway Safety Office, 537 people died on Maryland roads this year, with thousands more injured. The most common causes of these crashes are reported as impairment, distraction, speed and aggressive driving and were preventable, a news release said.

Police urge drivers to adhere to Maryland’s Move Over laws, which require motorists to safely make a lane change or slow down when approaching a vehicle displaying warning signals.

Other road safety tips:

• Plan for extra travel time.
• Designate your sober driver in advance and give that person your car keys.
• 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.
• Don’t let a friend drive if you think they are impaired.
• If you see someone who you believe is driving impaired, call 911.
• Always buckle up and ensure all passengers in your vehicle are buckled up.
• Stay alert and focused. Don’t text, use a cellphone that is not hands-free or drive distracted.