Drunk driving is one of southern Maryland’s most often committed crimes. Last year, twenty-eight people died and another two hundred eighteen people were injured on Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties’ roadways in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator illegally impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The local injury and fatality numbers are up slightly from 2005, and the same trend holds true throughout most of Maryland.
That is why the law enforcement agencies in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties announced today that they will be joining with thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the state and nation to take part in the “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”crackdown. The increased enforcement on impaired driving begins Friday, August 17 and continues through the Labor Day weekend.
“Our message is simple. No matter where you drive – on state, county or local roadways, if we catch you driving drunk or drugged, we will arrest you”, stated Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans. He then added, “Calvert County Deputies and Troopers have arrested nearly 500 persons for DUI in Calvert County this year, and not one of those drivers thought they would get caught. They were wrong.”
Lt. Homer Rich, Commander of the Maryland State Police Barrack in Calvert County stated further, “Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be conducted on State and local roadways, and underage drinking laws will be stringently enforced. We will be removing drunk or drugged drivers off our roadways.” Lt. Rich continued, “It’s terrible to witness what a family goes through when we walk up to a house and tell them that their loved one won’t be coming home, ever again. We’ve had to do it too often this year, and we don’t want to have to do it again.”
So don’t take the chance. Remember to designate a sober driver, and do it before you start drinking. Otherwise, if you are over the limit, you will be under arrest.