Friday, March 18, 2016

Sheriff’s Office to Conduct Enhanced Impaired Driving Initiatives

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.