Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, I’M TELLING YOU WHY: TROOPERS ARE CRACKING DOWN ON DRINKING AND DRIVING Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – With all the holiday parties and celebrations this time of year, many will drink and drive but you better watch out, I’m telling you why; the Maryland State Police are cracking down on drunk driving.

Due to the increased possibility of alcohol related crashes and fatalities, troopers will be out in force actively searching for impaired, distracted, and aggressive drivers. Drivers are reminded during the holiday season and the rest of the year that drinking alcohol and driving should never be on their to- do list. In 2013, during the Christmas period from December 25 through December 29, there were 5 fatalities and 2 were alcohol related.

Nationally the facts are grim. In December 2012 there were 830 people killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher; 26 of those deaths occurred on Christmas Day. On average, a third (31%) of all crash fatalities in America involves drunk driving. But on Christmas day 2012, the percentage jumped to 36 percent.

“It’s time for all drivers to get the message that drunk driving is not a victimless crime,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent, Maryland State Police. “You could kill yourself or someone else. There will be zero tolerance for impaired drivers on the road. We will see you, we will stop you, and you will be arrested.”

Impaired drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic crash that claims someone’s life, or their own.

Please follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actively seeking? Or setting up illegal check points? Know your rights folks! Go on you tube. Search know your rights checkpoints!

Anonymous said...

I see no reason why anyone has to ever drink and drive. I didn't need a DWI or even being stopped to learn. Not one drop of alcohol has touched my lips when I am driving. This has been my rule for nearly 30 years.
I'm a very disciplined person and more people should be like me and their lives would be much better and stress free like mine.
In other words don't ever involve yourself in anything that may cause you trouble.

Anonymous said...

Worthless fundraising and total rights castration

Anonymous said...

They have my support!

Anonymous said...

Don't drink and drive, then you don't have to worry. Please respect my family and friends lives, don't drink and drive.

Anonymous said...

Revenue enhancement in the name of safety!

Anonymous said...

I have to wonder about the sanity of anyone who is against getting drunks off out streets.