Maryland State Police Press Release – Drunk Driving on Game Day

Maryland State Police Press Release – Drunk Driving on Game Day

PLAY YOUR BEST OFFENSE AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING ON GAME DAY AND PLAN FOR A SOBER DESIGNATED DRIVER

Maryland State Troopers advise those who drink alcohol on game day, to pass the keys to a sober designated driver to avoid drinking and driving this Super Bowl Sunday.

Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has directed each of the 22 barracks to deploy additional patrols to specifically target drunk and aggressive driving on Super Bowl Sunday. Troopers on regular patrol duty have also been instructed to focus on drunk driving enforcement when not handling other calls for service.

“We must remain vigilant to maintain the safety of our motorists and for those traveling throughout Maryland,” Colonel Brown said. “The aim of our extra drunk and aggressive driving patrols is to arrest those who choose to disregard the law and who endanger the lives of everyone.”

Troopers urge motorists to plan for alternatives if a sober designated driver is unavailable. Stay at a nearby hotel or at the event location until you are sober. Public transportation and the use of a taxi are also options to ensure a safer ride home.

Drivers are reminded that DUI charges come with a host of fees and penalties. A first time DUI offense can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail, along with a license suspension of six months. Insurance, legal fees, and towing costs could also create a financial burden.

Last year, on Super Bowl Sunday, police in Maryland arrested over eighty drunk drivers. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .07 (driving while impaired) is illegal in Maryland and .08 (driving under the influence) or higher is illegal in every state. A driver under the age of 21, with any measureable alcohol in their system is in violation of alcohol laws in Maryland.

Posted on ActiveRain as a community service. Character counts in Gaithersburg.

Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in your community.

Gleam Mix Nasturium at Brookside Gardens IMG_6176

Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs