MARYLAND STATE POLICE REMIND DRIVERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE ON CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND

State of Maryland - As Cinco de Mayo weekend approaches, the Maryland State Police are urging drivers to prioritize responsible driving. Troopers from all 23 State Police barracks, along with the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) Team, will conduct statewide DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement to address distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving.

This increased enforcement effort is supported by funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office.

The State Police have developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure traffic safety, which includes targeted patrols to quickly respond to incidents and enforce laws against violations.

Each region across Maryland will see troopers engaging in high-visibility enforcement in areas known for a high incidence of impaired driving crashes. This includes major highways and routes such as U.S. Routes 13, 50, and 404, as well as Interstate 495, 95, and various other state routes across the Eastern, Central, Western, Northern, and Southern regions.

The Maryland Department of Transportation highlights the seriousness of the issue, reporting an average of 158 annual deaths due to impaired driving, with over 2,700 additional injuries. Over the past five years, Maryland has experienced nearly 800 fatalities from such crashes.

To combat these numbers, the Maryland State Police encourage the use of rideshare services, taxis, sober drivers, or public transportation as safe ways to enjoy the weekend's festivities. The overarching message is clear: plan ahead and ensure a safe return home this Cinco de Mayo weekend.