Statewide July 4th Campaign Yields Significant Results

(PIKESVILLE, MD) –Troopers’ statewide campaign this past Fourth of July weekend resulted in significant results as efforts to keep Maryland roads safe will continue throughout the summer.

Maryland State Police installations across the state conducted initiatives during this Fourth of July weekend. Preliminary statistics revealed over 7,000 traffic stops were made. Troopers issued in excess of 5,100 citations and 4,100 warnings. There were an additional 790 repair orders issued for defective vehicle equipment.

The Maryland State Police S.P.I.D.R.E. Team was out this weekend concentrating their resources in the Langley Park area of Prince George’s County. Members of the team arrested 17 drivers for DUI. Of those arrested, six were repeat offenders and two others were transporting children in the vehicle while impaired. To date, the S.P.I.D.R.E. Team has made more than 1330 arrests since their inception in May 2013.
 
Troopers conducted traffic enforcement initiatives such as, Operations Millipede, Showboat, and Bear Claw throughout Maryland during this past weekend. Operation Millipede, along I-95, resulted in 536 vehicles stopped and almost 550 citations and 280 warnings issued. Operation Showboat, along Route 50, yielded 773 traffic stops resulting in approximately 560 citations and 306 warnings issued. Operations Bear Claw, along interstates 68 and 70 in Western Maryland, resulted in 784 vehicles stopped with 454 citations and 419 warnings issued. Additional initiatives will continue during the upcoming months focusing on impaired or distracted drivers, speeding and aggressive motorists, as well as those electing not to properly use safety restraints.

The Maryland State Police encourage all motorists to be considerate and patient while traveling. Remove as many distractions while driving and never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. If you are impaired, call a friend or family member, use public transportation or stay where you are. If you see a driver you think is impaired or driving a vehicle in an unsafe manner, keep your distance and dial 9-1-1.