State Troopers stepping up patrols this Labor Day Weekend looking for impaired drivers

State Troopers stepping up patrols this Labor Day Weekend looking for impaired drivers

Richard Webster Alcohol, Crime & Courts, Holidays, Police, Public Health and Safety, Public Service Announcement, Recalls and Alerts, Top News, Traffic, Video

It’s Labor Day Weekend and the State Police in Maryland are urging motorists to stay safe during the holiday weekend and avoid impaired, distracted and aggressive driving. Beginning last night, troopers from all 23 state barracks initiated a saturation of patrols throughout the holiday weekend as part of the “No DUI Friday” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiative.

Those initiatives focus on preventing impaired, aggressive and distracted driving in areas where data indicates high numbers of crashes or arrests. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, or SPIDRE, will also be working to remove impaired drivers from Maryland roads.

SPIDRE, a specialized unit of trained troopers who are focused on identifying impaired drivers, has made more than 4,353 DUI arrests since its inception in May 2013. The team is funded by a grant from MDOT MVA Highway Safety Office and aims to reduce alcohol-related injuries and fatalities in Maryland.

Just this morning, police arrested a man a man on impaired driving charges after a crash in which a state trooper was injured this morning in Washington County.

The suspect, Chauncey Dale Baylor II, 30, of Hagerstown, was charged with impaired driving. He was transported to the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack for processing before being released. Additional charges are pending in the case.

All lanes of westbound I-70 prior to Route 66 were closed temporarily for reconstruction of the crash. That crash remains under investigation.

The MDOT MVA Highway Safety Office said crashes are no accidents. There were on average 169 fatalities and 2,998 injuries annually from 2017 and 2021 due to impaired driving, according to the department. Nearly all of these deaths and injuries were preventable.

Among the planned initiatives:
  • Anne Arundel County: The Annapolis and Glen Burnie barracks will focus enforcement efforts on routes 50, 295 and Interstate 97.
  • Baltimore County: The Golden Ring Barrack will focus enforcement efforts on interstates 695, 795 and 83.
  • Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties: The Easton Barrack will focus enforcement efforts on routes 50 and 404.
  • Cecil and Harford counties: The JFK Memorial Highway, Bel Air and North East barracks will focus enforcement efforts on Interstate 95 and routes 1, 7, 24 and 40.
  • Garrett County: The McHenry Barrack will focus enforcement efforts on Interstate 68 and Route 219.
  • Kent and Queen Anne’s counties: The Centreville Barrack will focus enforcement efforts on routes 301, 20 and 50.
  • Prince George’s County: The College Park and Forestville barracks will focus enforcement efforts on routes 5 and 50 and Interstate 495.
  • Somerset County: The Princess Anne Barrack will focus enforcement efforts along routes 13 and 413.
  • Washington County: The Hagerstown Barrack will conduct DUI saturation patrols on interstates 70 and 81.
  • Wicomico County: The Salisbury Barrack will focus enforcement efforts on routes 50 and 13.
If you are attending a Labor Day gathering:
  • Designate a sober driver in advance and give that person your car keys.
  • If you’re planning on driving, then 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.
  • Don’t drive distracted, text or use a cellphone that is not hands-free. Always buckle up.
If you are hosting a Labor 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.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend from Ace News Today

–

(Source and cover photo: Maryland State Police)

~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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