MARYLAND STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE ENHANCED INDEPENDENCE DAY ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

State of MD - The Maryland State Police will boost enforcement efforts beginning Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, to ensure safer travel during the Fourth of July weekend. Troopers will focus on combating impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving in a statewide initiative.

All 23 state police barracks will participate in high-visibility patrols during this period. The specialized State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team, equipped to identify impaired drivers, will also provide support. The goal is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities related to impaired driving.

These efforts, organized in partnership with allied law enforcement agencies and supported through community outreach via social media, aim to discourage dangerous driving behaviors. The initiatives will be conducted in specific regions throughout the state, including:

• Eastern Region: Troopers in Berlin, Centreville, Easton, Princess Anne, and Salisbury will monitor areas along U.S. Routes 13, 50, 90, 301, Maryland Route 413, and throughout local counties.
• Central Region: Troopers in College Park, Forestville, Golden Ring, Rockville, Waterloo, and Westminster will focus on Interstates 495, 270, 695, as well as Maryland Routes 185, 97, and 193.
• Western Region: Troopers in Cumberland, Frederick, Hagerstown, and McHenry will conduct enforcement along U.S. Routes 220, 40, 65, and Interstates 8, 68, and 70.
• Northern Region: Troopers in Bel Air, North East, and along the JFK Memorial Highway will prioritize U.S. Route 40 and other high-risk areas.
• Southern Region: Troopers in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick will focus on U.S. Route 50, Maryland Route 295, and Interstate 97.

To ensure safety, Maryland State Police provided important tips for the public attending Fourth of July events:

• For Drivers:
  • Designate a sober driver and hand over your car keys before drinking.
  • Avoid drinking if you plan to drive.
  • Use public transportation, taxis, or ride-share services if necessary.
  • Do not allow friends to drive impaired.
  • Contact police if you encounter an impaired driver.
  • Always buckle your seatbelt.
  • Avoid texting and driving or handling a non-hands-free phone.
• For Event Hosts:
  • Be aware of liability if guests are involved in impaired driving incidents after consuming alcohol you provided.
  • Serve non-alcoholic beverages and sufficient food.
  • Arrange sober transportation options for guests, if needed.
  • Keep local taxi company contact details readily available.
  • Take car keys away from guests attempting to drive impaired.

These enforcement efforts are funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office. The SPIDRE team operates with support from a Maryland Highway Safety Office grant.

The Maryland State Police encourage residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly. Their consistent message for the holiday remains firm: "Drink or drive-you can't do both. Make a smart move this 4th of July and plan a sober ride."