JESSUP, MD (June 29, 2022) – As Marylanders put together to rejoice the Fourth of July vacation, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) and legislation enforcement officers are reminding motorists to keep protected and assist shield others by designating a sober experience dwelling. At an occasion Wednesday at the Maryland State Police (MSP) barrack in Howard County, officers provided a warning that the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort – or SPIDRE – the group might be out in power to take impaired drivers off the highway.
“We are focused on ensuring the safety of everyone traveling on our roads this holiday weekend,” stated MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who additionally serves as Governor Larry Hogan’s Highway Safety Representative. “The injuries and fatalities that occur as a result of someone’s poor decision to get behind the wheel while impaired is preventable, which is why we continue to stress the importance of making a plan for a sober ride home – whether by using public transit, scheduling a rideshare or abstaining from drinking alcohol and/or drugs.”
Formed in 2013, SPIDRE is a specifically skilled group of 5 troopers who work in focused areas in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas, the place impaired driving is a main trigger of demise and harm. Team members practice different state police troopers and native legislation enforcement officers and associate with native police departments and companies to cut back impaired-related crashes all through Maryland.
MSP and MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office present funding for this effort. Since its inception, SPIDRE has been chargeable for almost 4,000 arrests of individuals suspected of driving underneath the affect.
“Impaired driving affects everyone on the road, not just the individual who made the poor decision to get behind the wheel,” stated Lt. Col. Roland L. Butler, Jr., Chief of MSP Field Operations Bureau. “We are committed to removing what are, undoubtedly, some of the most dangerous drivers on our highways.”
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Administrator Nizer and Lt. Col. Butler had been joined by Kimberly Sizemore, who shared the story of how impaired driving affected her household. On May 12, 2020, Kimberly’s son, Bennett, was struck head-on in his car by one other car pushed by an impaired driver in the center of the afternoon. It was decided the driver had a blood alcohol content material 4 instances the authorized restrict and was actively ingesting when his car crossed the center line and struck Bennett. The accidents Bennett suffered from the crash modified his life eternally, stopping him from persevering with his dream profession as an electrician. During Wednesday’s occasion, Sizemore urged everybody that in the event that they see somebody trying to drive impaired, converse up and assist stop tragedy.
Impaired driving is 100% preventable. Over the previous 5 years in Maryland, nonetheless, almost 800 folks have been killed and 15,300 have been injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. Police studies present elevated pace, situations of impairment, and decrease seat belt use are amongst the most typical contributing components in motorcar fatalities.
In addition to the SPIDRE group, impaired driving enforcement has occurred this yr with state and native legislation enforcement companies. Between January and May in Maryland, legislation enforcement companies have arrested greater than 6,400 suspected impaired drivers.
Besides the danger of inflicting harm or demise, driving underneath the affect or in any other case impaired could end in arrest, jail time, intensive authorized prices, and fines. Under the 2016 implementation of Noah’s Law, drivers convicted of DUI are additionally required to take part in Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program.
To coincide with the excessive visibility enforcement, the MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office additionally will share its “Be the Make A Plan Driver” and “Be the Sober Driver” messages by way of a selection of media together with billboards, Pandora, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
MDOT MVA reminds drivers to be affected person, depart additional time, and count on congestion over the Fourth of July vacation, as excessive ranges of site visitors are anticipated. To plan forward, go to www.md511.org for site visitors data or join to 511 from a hands-free cell system.
While the SPIDRE group and allied legislation enforcement companions will monitor roads for impaired drivers this Fourth of July weekend, officers additionally warn pedestrians of the potential impression of impairment. Analysis of pedestrian fatalities has revealed an rising quantity of pedestrians struck by automobiles have had alcohol or medicine of their system at the time of the crash. In addition to avoiding impairment, pedestrians are reminded of the following guidelines of the highway:
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks at any time when attainable.
- Press the pedestrian sign button and look forward to the stroll sign.
- Always cease at the curb and look left, proper, and left earlier than crossing a avenue.
- Watch for vehicles delivering or leaving driveways.
- Wear gentle or bright-colored clothes, particularly if out strolling after nightfall.
- Pay consideration and take off headphones whereas strolling – no texting or taking part in video games.
- Walk, don’t run throughout the avenue.
To study extra about the MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office’s Zero Deaths marketing campaign, go to zerodeathsmd.gov or like and observe @ZeroDeathsMD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.