MD State Police Increases DUI Patrols Cinco De Mayor Weekend

MARYLAND — Drivers should expect to see extra Maryland State Police patrols on state roads through the Cinco de Mayo weekend, May 3-5.

Authorities expect an increase in impaired drivers throughout the weekend, so all 23 state police barracks in the state will ramp up enforcement efforts to combat distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving, according to a news release. Troopers at each barrack, as well as the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) Team will conduct statewide DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement to deter drivers from unsafe actions.

Along with saturation patrols, some of the actions planned by State Police include:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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, 301, 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.
• 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, Interstate 97, and throughout their respective counties.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, over the past five years in Maryland, nearly 800 people have died in a crash involving an impaired driver. The agency suggests using rideshare services, taxis, designating a sober driver or taking public transportation to stay safe.

A portion of the costs associated with the increased enforcement efforts will be paid through the impaired driving saturation funds provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.