BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland State Police have announced that they will be increasing enforcement efforts on impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving over the Memorial Day weekend.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team—a specialized unit trained to identify impaired drivers—will also work to reduce alcohol-related injuries and fatalities. SPIDRE is funded by a grant from the MDOT MVA Highway Safety Office.

The additional enforcement will include saturation patrols by troopers across Maryland from Friday to Monday, as well as increased efforts by the SPIDRE team.

Troopers will be patrolling areas prone to impaired driving, including routes 40 and 213, as well as major interstates including 495, 95, and 695.

Nearly 44 million people are expected to travel Memorial weekend, according to the AAA. This is a 4% increase compared to 2023 and is expected to be the second highest since 2005, with a record of 44 million travelers. Police urge motorists to avoid impaired, aggressive and distracted driving.

READ MORE: MDOT’s 2024 Memorial Day travel forecast

If you are attending a Memorial Day event:

• Designate a sober driver. Give that person your car keys.
• Avoid drinking if you are planning to drive.
• Consider using public transportation. Call a taxi or use a ride-share service.
• Do not let friends drive if you think they are impaired.
• Call the police if you see someone who you believe is driving impaired.
• Always buckle up.
• Do not text, drive distracted or use a cellphone that is not hands-free.

If you are hosting a Memorial Day event:

• Remember that you can be held liable if someone you served alcohol to ends up in an impaired driving crash.
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Ensure sober drivers or alternative modes of transportation are available.
• Have contact information for local taxi companies readily available.
• Take away the keys from anyone who is thinking about driving impaired.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.