The St. Mary’s County
Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, will conduct
enhanced impaired driving initiatives, surrounding St. Patrick’s Day festivities,
extending from Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20, 2016.
The efforts include increased
patrols throughout the weekend and a sobriety checkpoint the evening of
Saturday, March 19. Officers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug
impairment, in addition to other traffic infractions. Corrective actions will be
taken against drivers operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
“For too many in the United
States, St. Patrick’s Day has ended in tragedy due to drunk drivers getting
behind the wheel. Over St. Patrick’s Day from 2009 to 2013, there was a total
of 276 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes,” according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration.
The funds for the checkpoint are
provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office.
