On Saturday, April 26, officers from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s County law enforcement agencies will be conducting Checkpoint Strikeforce Sobriety Checkpoints. Checkpoints are designed not only to arrest impaired drivers, deter others from driving impaired, and raise public awareness of law enforcement and other efforts to reduce and enforce impaired driving laws.
In the recent past, the percentage of fatalities in motor vehicles crashes involving impaired driving in St. Mary’s County has been as high as 60%! The national average is only 41%. Law enforcement
throughout Southern Maryland will join forces this weekend to combat this problem. Travelers should expect to come upon sobriety checkpoints throughout Southern Maryland as they travel through each county.
The age of impaired drivers arrested in St. Mary’s County averages between 33-46 years of age. Driving impaired does not have an impact on only the impaired driver. Impaired driving often results in motor vehicles crashes which involve property damage, personal injuries, and even death. This does not take into account the other costs to society, from the cost of emergency response by fire and rescue, law enforcement, state and local highway maintenance and repair, medical expenses, funeral costs, time lost from work. There are also many other long term costs, including increases in insurance rates.
Driving impaired is preventable and unacceptable. If you are out this weekend and plan to use alcohol be smart; designate a driver or find another safe and sober way home. If you do not have safe and sober transportation plan to stay put. If all else fails, anticipate a direct ride to jail provided by your local law enforcement. If you drive under the influence, or are over the limit you will be under arrest.
For additional information on impaired driving and other traffic safety initiatives please contact Ms. Jacqueline Beckman, St. Mary’s County Highway Safety Program Coordinator, Community Services Division at 301-475-4200 ext. 1850 or email jackie.beckman@co.saint-marys.md.us.