Police Target MD Drunk Drivers Around Memorial Day

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Hundreds of thousands of Marylanders will take to the roads this Memorial Day, and officers are ready. The Maryland State Police said it will up its enforcement against drunk, distracted and dangerous driving.

Troopers from all 23 barracks will take to the roads Friday. Officers will work overtime shifts throughout the holiday weekend, which often involves alcohol.

State police mentioned that they have arrested about 2,700 impaired drivers this year. That's 700 more than at this time last year, but the onset of the coronavirus pandemic likely affected 2020's total.

Impaired driving accidents kill around 160 people annually in Maryland, a press release explained. Thousands more are injured in these crashes, the write-up continued. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command and its flight paramedics will be on hand to serve anybody who needs trauma care this weekend.

"We will have extra state troopers patrolling Maryland highways from the mountains to the beaches this holiday weekend and at peak times throughout the summer," stated Maryland State Police Lt. Colonel Roland Butler, chief of the Field Operations Bureau. "Our troopers will also be assisting disabled motorists and working hard to manage and clear traffic incidents as quickly as possible to keep traffic flowing."

AAA estimated that 806,000 Marylanders will go on vacation this Memorial Day weekend. That's 63 percent more than last year. Of those travelers, nearly 747,000 will drive this holiday weekend.

"The Maryland State Police and our other state law enforcement agencies are ready for this weekend," Butler added, noting that drunk driving enforcement will remain strict all season. "We want everyone traveling in Maryland to have a safe summer."

Police offered these tips to partygoers:

• Find a designated driver
• Don't drink if you plan to drive
• Use public transportation, a taxi or a ride-hailing service if you drank
• Don't let friends drive while drunk
• Report potential drunk drivers to police
• Wear your seatbelt
• Don't text or use a phone while driving
• Don't drive distracted

Troopers gave these reminders to hosts:

• Those who serve alcohol can be held liable if the drinker gets in a crash
• Serve food and nonalcoholic drinks
• Make sure guests have a safe ride home in advance
• Have contact information for taxis on hand
• Take the keys from anybody who may drive while drunk

Drivers can monitor traffic conditions by calling 511 or visiting roads.maryland.gov, chart.state.md.us and md511.org.

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