Maryland State Police Colonel Deploying More Troopers for DUI & DWI Saturation for St. Patrick's Day

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On March 15, 2011, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan ordered the deployment of additional State Police DUI and DWI saturation patrols in each county in Maryland.  That includes DUI and DWI saturation patrols in Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County and all other counties in Maryland.  The DUI and DWI saturation patrols will commence later this week to coincide with the increase in drinking and driving that occurs as a result of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  St. Patrick’s Day this year is on March 17, 2011.

Colonel Sheridan said, “We know from experience that St. Patrick’s Day celebrations increase the number of drunk drivers on our roads and the risk of highway tragedies resulting from drunken driving crashes,”  he went on to say, “our goal is to keep our highways safe and additional DUI patrols at each of our 22 barracks will help us do that.  We do not wish to diminish anyone’s celebration.  We want to remind people of their responsibility to use common sense, make plans ahead of time, and make a commitment not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages.”  

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A recent newspaper survey indicated more than half of Americans will be celebrating this St. Patrick's Day.  Almost one third of those celebrating say they will be attending a party at a bar or restaurant.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 103 traffic crash fatalities nationwide on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009.  Of those, 37 percent involved an impaired driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.  A reading of .08 or higher in the State of Maryland is per se driving under the influence.  If you are arrested on or during the St. Patrick's day celebration, contact our office at 410.288.2900 to speak with a DUI/DWI Defense Attorney in Maryland.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Maryland State Police DUI (driving under the influence) & DWI (driving while impaired) arrest numbers from 2010 clearly show the increase in arrests that occur during the period of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  During the five days before St. Patrick’s Day 2010, Maryland state troopers made an average of 16 DUI arrests per day statewide.  On St. Patrick’s Day and the next four days last year, state troopers made an average of 38 DUI arrests, more than doubling the daily average of the week before.  These statistics do not include the number of DUI and DWI arrested made by County and City police departments.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

In Maryland, a first offense for driving under the influence could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a sentence of up to one year in jail.  In addition, the violation would mean 12 points on the offender’s driver’s license and a license revocation for six months.  Driver’s licenses are confiscated by police from those refusing to take a blood alcohol test and from those whose test result is .08 or higher.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Those planning to drink alcoholic beverages are urged to make plans to get home safely before they begin drinking.  Options include arranging for a sober driver, to whom you gave your keys, to drive you home; use a taxi; call a friend or family member to pick you up; or use public transportation.  If you drink, do not drive, the affects on your life can be devastating.  In addition, you would cause an accident that may result in injury to another driver or pedestrian.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

                
State troopers in Maryland continue to urge motorists to contact police if they see a driver who might be operating under the influence.  The Maryland Department of Transportation will more likely than not be using the large electrical billboards providing contact numbers for motorists to call police and warn them of drunk drivers. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies will make every attempt to locate the driver and take the appropriate enforcement action.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

The additional troopers deployed by State Police will be on overtime and funded through a DUI enforcement grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office.  All troopers on regular patrol duty will also be on the alert for drunk drivers.

Q: What do I do if arrested or charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland?

A: Contact the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, 24/7 by calling 410.288.2900.  You will speak with an experienced Maryland DUI & DWI Attorney that can answer your questions.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Statistics for the Ignition Interlock in Maryland

Below find some basis data on the use of the Maryland Ignition Interlock program for drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) (both alcohol, drugs, or both.)

State Ignition Interlock Program:   According to MVA, about 8,000 drivers participate annually in the Maryland ignition interlock program.  About 6,000 drivers are in the program at any one time and about 2,000 cycle out of the program on a recurring basis due either to successful completion or failure to complete the program.  In fiscal 2010, 3,244 people successfully completed the program and 2,997 people withdrew due to failure to complete program requirements.  Participants generally are repeat offenders or offenders who refused a BAC test or had a BAC test result of 0.15 or more.  A participant must pay a fee to an ignition interlock provider for device installation and maintenance unless exempted due to financial hardship.  These fees are not regulated by MVA.  MVA does not impose a program fee although it has statutory authority to do so.  The participant must have the device serviced and data downloaded by the vendor every 30 days.  Five vendors are certified by MVA to provide equipment for the program.  MVA monitors participants through the data reports from the vendors.  Violations, such as attempting to start or operate a vehicle with a BAC greater than 0.025, failing to submit to a retest after starting the vehicle, tampering with the interlock device, having another person blow into the device, or operating a vehicle without a device, can result in removal from the program or an extension of the person’s required period of participation.

Visit the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, for more information on DUI & DWI Defense.