From July 4 to July 6, Maryland State Police will step up enforcement throughout the state to target aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving. To improve road safety throughout the holiday weekend, troopers from all 23 barracks and the SPIDRE team will conduct high-visibility patrols.
According to the press release, Maryland State Police will step up their enforcement efforts starting Friday to prevent aggressive, distracted, and intoxicated driving for the course of the July 4th holiday weekend. From Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, Maryland State Troopers from all 23 barracks in the state will engage in high-visibility patrols. Reducing injuries and fatalities from impaired driving is another goal of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) squad, a specialized force trained to detect intoxicated drivers.
Initiatives by the Maryland State Police are intended to save lives and deter risky driving practices. Initiatives may involve collaborating with state and affiliated law enforcement organizations to use social media for community outreach and enforcement. Among the efforts that are planned are:
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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, 90, 301, Maryland Route 413, 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, 270, 695, Maryland 185, 97, 193, 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 U.S. Routes 220, 40, and 65, Interstates 8, 68, and 70, and throughout their respective counties. -
Northern Region:
Troopers from the Bel Air, JFK Memorial Highway, and North East barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along U.S. Route 40, 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, Maryland Route 295, Interstate 97, and throughout their respective counties.
If you’re going to a Fourth of July celebration:
- Designate a sober driver. Give that person your car keys.
- Avoid drinking if you are planning to drive.
- Consider using public transportation. Call a taxi or use a ride-share service.
- Do not let friends drive if you think they are impaired.
- Call the police if you see someone who you believe is driving impaired.
- Always buckle up.
- Do not text, drive distracted or use a cellphone that is not hands-free.
If you’re throwing an event for the Fourth of July:
- Remember that 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 available.
- Have contact information for local taxi companies readily available.
- Take away the keys from anyone who is thinking about driving impaired.
The Highway Safety Office of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration provides funding for increased enforcement activities. The Maryland Highway Safety Office has awarded a grant to the SPIDRE Team.
This Fourth of July, you cannot drink and drive. The wise thing to do is to arrange a sober ride.
