WARN THE PUBLIC, THE HIGHWAY IS NO PLACE TO PLAY TRICK OR TREAT WITH ALCOHOL

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, “Halloween is the second most dangerous day for pedestrians” and the Maryland State Police is warning citizens Maryland roads are no place to play trick or treat while impaired. 

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown has ordered each of the 22 barracks to deploy extra patrols from October 26, 2012 through October 31, 2012. “These patrols will be specifically looking for and removing dangerous and impaired drivers from the roadways to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween celebration,” Colonel Brown said. “Our goal is to keep children safe while they are trick or treating as well as to keep the motoring public safe while they are traveling to and from their celebrations.” 

Nighttime is always a dangerous time on the road, but Halloween can be particularly scary when an impaired driver gets behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “41 percent of all highway fatalities throughout the nation, during the Halloween period in 2010, involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.” 

To stay safe this Halloween season, the Maryland State Police recommend that drivers plan a safe way home before the festivities begin. Designate a sober driver and give them the keys. If you find yourself impaired, call a friend or family member, use public transportation, or call a taxi. If you see a driver you think is impaired, keep a safe distance and contact law enforcement. 

The additional State Police patrols are in support of the Maryland Highway Safety Office's "Checkpoint Strikeforce Halloween Wave" and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Halloween Impaired Driving Prevention Initiative". The extra troopers will be saturating roads with high documented DUI crashes. They will also be focusing on impaired and distracted drivers. The overtime funding for additional patrols has been provided by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. 

CONTACT: Sgt. Marc Black, Sr.
Office of Media Comm. - 410-653-4236