Crime & Safety

Howard County Police on Lookout for Weekend Drunk Drivers

Nearly one-third of last year's fatalities on Howard County roads involved alcohol.

Drinking alcohol this weekend? Plan to have a designated driver.

The Howard County Police Department said in a statement that it will hold a sobriety checkpoint over the weekend at a location officials did not disclose.
The checkpoint is an initiative to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired drivers on the roads and raise awareness about the issue of impaired driving, according to a statement from police.

Twenty-seven percent of Howard County’s fatal collisions in 2013 were alcohol-related, police said.

Throughout the year,the department holds several checkpoints and initiatives targeting drivers who are drunk and on drugs, police said.

In 2013, Howard County police arrested 1,165 people for driving under the influence, according to the statement.

This weekend's sobriety checkpoint will be marked with signs, lights and uniformed officers. 

Maryland State Police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving provide support, and a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office helps fund the initiative.
 
Traffic crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for Maryland residents, according to the statement from police.
 
To stay safe on the roads, officials said people should do the following:

  • Drive sober
  • Obey the speed limit
  • Wear a seat belt
  • Stay focused
People who see an impaired driver on the road should call 911.


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