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BALTIMORE COUNTY - As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Maryland State Police are ramping up their enforcement measures in anticipation of increased highway travel. State troopers across 23 barracks, including members of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team (SPIDRE), are sharpening their focus on preventing impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and other violations that lead to highway accidents.
Additional troopers will work overtime assignments backed by highway safety grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.
"As we commence the summer travel season this Memorial Day weekend, we want everyone to reach their destinations safely," said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. "We encourage those who choose to drink to plan for a designated driver or safe transport back home."
Statewide initiatives for Memorial Day weekend include:
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office, Maryland experienced an annual average of 152 fatalities and 2,003 injuries from impaired driving crashes from 2017 to 2021. Many of these incidents were preventable.
State Police also issued advice for Memorial Day gathering attendees and hosts, recommending designated sober drivers, public transportation use, and caution against distracted driving. Hosts were reminded of potential liability if a guest they served alcohol to ends up in an impaired-driving crash and were encouraged to provide food, non-alcoholic beverages, and arrange alternative transportation for guests planning to drink alcoholic beverages.