STATE POLICE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ENFORCEMENT GETS UNDERWAY

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, is implementing statewide patrol resources as extra state troopers prepare to patrol this Labor Day weekend, working intense statewide criminal and traffic enforcement to combat drunk and aggressive drivers.

Regular on-duty patrol forces will be supplemented by more than 75 extra troopers who will be on state and federally funded highway safety overtime throughout the weekend. Troopers will concentrate on enforcing speed limits, stopping aggressive drivers and arresting impaired drivers.

Last year police across Maryland arrested more than 300 motorists for driving under the influence during the holiday weekend. Of those, Maryland State Police arrested 123 intoxicated drivers. During that same weekend, Maryland state troopers issued over 10,000 citations and warnings and responded to over 300 crashes.

“Our focus is on keeping our highways safe,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown said. “State troopers will be doing all they can to keep traffic moving and motorists safe as our citizens enjoy the Labor Day weekend and the inaugural Grand Prix weekend events. We also urge motorists to use extreme caution as they travel through areas which may still be experiencing inoperable traffic signals due to the power outages from Hurricane Irene.”

Each of the 22 Maryland State Police barracks will deploy at least one saturation patrol during the weekend. A saturation patrol is a team of troopers who patrol a specific area known for a high number of DUI arrests or crashes. Although every state trooper on road patrol is on heightened alert for drunk and aggressive drivers, those troopers on saturation patrol are focused only on identifying and arresting drunk drivers.

State troopers will also be assisting the Baltimore Police Department with Grand Prix events in Baltimore City. More than two dozen troopers will assist with traffic direction, commercial vehicle enforcement and other security initiatives. Maryland State Police helicopters will provide aerial support in the area when returning from medevacs to Baltimore hospitals.

Motorists planning to drink alcoholic beverages are reminded to choose a designated driver or make other arrangements before they start drinking. This can include hiring a cab or staying in walking distance from the party location.

To receive up-to-the-minute transportation news and information, motorists can call 5-1-1 for the latest traffic-related news, such as crash related traffic jams, lane closing roadwork and weather related delays. Callers can also choose to receive information about the Baltimore and Washington transit systems and flight information from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.