Md. State Police Boost Traffic Enforcement Patrols For Holidays
Maryland State Police troopers out of all 23 barracks are focusing their efforts on impaired and aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving and other violations that often lead to accidents – especially during holiday seasons.
Additional troopers will be working overtime assignments through New Year’s Eve, funded by highway safety grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. The initiative involves DUI saturation patrols and checkpoints.
Motorists and pedestrians are also advised to be extra alert and to watch out for each other during the busy holiday travel period.
Many barracks will also have community-specific efforts, including a concentration by the Salisbury Barrack along Routes 50 and 13 in high-crash areas, and the Princess Anne Barrack focusing on designated DUI enforcement including Route 13 and Route 413.
Maryland State Police provided these tips for motorists and the general public:
ere are some tips for both motorists and pedestrians to help reduce the chances of fatalities on Maryland roads:
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look for pedestrians walking along the roadway and at crossings and intersections.
- Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks as required by Maryland law.
- Be careful passing stopped vehicles. If a car is stopped at a marked crosswalk, stop and look for crossing pedestrians as required by Maryland law.
- Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
- Yield to pedestrians when turning.
- Use extra caution at night when it may be harder to see pedestrians attempting to cross the road.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
- Cross the street at marked crosswalks and at intersections. Many pedestrian crashes occur at midblock locations where drivers do not expect pedestrians.
- Obey traffic signals, including pedestrian signals.
- Before crossing, look left, right and left again to make sure you can cross safely.
- Look before stepping past stopped vehicles. They may be blocking your view of moving traffic.
- Stay visible after dark and in bad weather. Help drivers see you by wearing retro-reflective material in low lighting conditions. This includes those wearing costumes while trick-or-treating.
- Use caution around any vehicle backing out of parking spaces and driveways.
