BALTIMORE, MD—With millions of Marylanders expected to hit the roads for holiday travel, the Maryland State Police have announced increased highway safety patrols over the next two weeks. The initiative will focus on cracking down on impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving.

Troopers from all 23 barracks will be deployed in saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout the state. The Maryland State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team, specializing in identifying impaired drivers, will also be actively patrolling. This increased enforcement is funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MVA) Highway Safety Office.

The MVA’s Highway Safety Office tragically reported 537 traffic fatalities on Maryland roads this year, with thousands more suffering injuries. The leading causes of these crashes were identified as impairment, distraction, speed, and aggressive driving, all of which are preventable.

To combat these dangers and promote safe holiday travel, the Maryland State Police urge the public to follow these tips:

• Plan ahead for extra travel time,
• Designate a sober driver in advance and give that person your car keys,
• Avoid drinking and driving if celebrating,
• Consider using public transportation,
• Call a taxi or use a ride-share service if you don’t have a sober driver,
• Never let an impaired friend drive,
• Report suspected impaired drivers to 9-1-1,
• Always buckle up,
• Remain alert and focused while driving, and
• Move over or slow down for vehicles displaying warning signals.

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

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