MARYLAND- Maryland State Police are ramping up patrols across the state in anticipation of increased traffic and potential danger from impaired, distracted, or aggressive driving during Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Troopers from all 23 Maryland State Police barracks, along with the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, will be out in force with DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office is partially funding the increased patrols.
In the Eastern Region, patrols will concentrate on U.S. Routes 13, 50, 404, Maryland Route 413, and surrounding areas served by the Berlin, Centreville, Easton, Princess Anne, and Salisbury barracks.
The Central Region’s efforts will be seen along Interstates 495 and 95 and Maryland Routes 185, 97, and 193, which are covered by College Park, Forestville, Golden Ring, Rockville, Waterloo, and Westminster troopers.
In the Western Region, enforcement will target areas with a history of impaired driving crashes, including areas near Cumberland, Frederick, Hagerstown, and McHenry.
Northern Region troopers from Bel Air, JFK Memorial Highway, and North East will also focus on high-risk corridors, while in the Southern Region, patrols will increase along U.S. Route 50, Maryland Route 5, Interstate 97, and surrounding communities near Annapolis, Glen Burnie, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick.
The Maryland Department of Transportation reports that each year an average of 158 people die and more than 2,700 are hurt in crashes involving impaired drivers. Nearly 800 people have died in such crashes in Maryland over the last five years.
Maryland State Police are urging people to make safe choices this weekend. The state reminds drivers to plan ahead, be alert and never get behind the wheel while under the influence.