Maryland State Police to Step Up Roadway Enforcement Efforts This Holiday Weekend
Maryland State Police will bolster enforcement efforts over the Memorial Day weekend to increase safety on the roads. State troopers from 23 barracks, including members of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, known as the SPIDRE team, will be focusing enforcement efforts on impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Additional troopers will be working overtime assignments funded by highway safety grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. Among the initiatives include the following:
• The Salisbury Barrack will conduct enforcement along Routes 50 and 13 corridors in Wicomico County.
• Centreville Barrack will conduct operations on Routes 301, 20 and 50.
Additional Information from The Maryland State Police:
Maryland averaged 152 fatalities and 2,003 injuries due to impaired driving crashes annually between 2017 and 2021, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. Many of these deaths and injuries were preventable.
If you are attending a Memorial Day gathering:
• Designate a 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, then call the police.
• Always buckle up.
• Don’t drive distracted, text or use a cellphone that is not hands-free.
If you are hosting a Memorial Day gathering:
• Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served alcohol to ends up in an impaired-driving crash.
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Ensure sober drivers or alternative modes of transportation are set up in advance for guests who are planning to drink alcoholic beverages.
• Have contact information for local taxi companies readily available.
• Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.
