The weekend of February 5, 2011 the Sheriff’s Office will be conducting driving while intoxicated saturation patrols throughout St. Mary’s County. The purpose of saturation patrols is to detect and arrest driver’s who choose to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two substances. Deputies will use zero tolerance while conducting these patrols. If you are over the legal limit then you will be placed under arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens to be responsible when consuming alcoholic beverages. Please designate a sober driver or contact a taxi service. Our goal is safety for all traveling on the roadways. Some local taverns participate with the Tipsy Taxi program.
In addition adults who furnish alcohol to individual who are under the age of 21 will be charged according. Penalties for such a violation include a fine of up to $2,500 for the first violation and $5,000 for each subsequent violation.
Funding for the Saturation patrols will be from the Maryland Highway Safety Office and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.