Westminster Thanksgiving DUI Patrols Planned: Police

WESTMINSTER, MD — Police will be looking for impaired drivers in Westminster this week. Troopers from the Westminster barrack are among those planning DUI saturation patrols for the Thanksgiving holiday and through the weekend, according to Maryland State Police.

Troopers from Westminster, Waterloo and Bel Air barracks all plan to conduct DUI saturation patrols, police said. They will be on the lookout in particular from Thursday through Sunday, officials advised.

The impaired driving crackdowns are among several special enforcement initiatives planned across the state during the holiday week to keep travelers safe as more people hit the road. More than 2.2 million are expected on Maryland highways, bridges and tunnels this Thanksgiving, the Maryland Transportation Authority says.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, troopers will be conducting a nighttime effort called "Operation Night Owl." Police will be on the lookout for commercial vehicle violations and criminal behaviors from Sunday, Nov. 19, to Thursday, Nov. 23. The operation consists of high-visibility patrols during off-peak hours.

During peak travel times, extra officers will be posted along I-95, I-495, I-270, I-70 and I-68, according to Maryland State Police. Troopers will also be stationed at the Maryland House and Chesapeake House rest areas along I-95.

Grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office will allow for more officers to be out on patrol, officials reported, and all 23 Maryland State Police barracks are participating in special enforcement efforts to curb impaired, aggressive and distracted driving around the holiday.

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