MSP Continues Increased Patrols To Combat Imapired, Distracted, Aggressive Driving This Holiday Season

(PIKESVILLE, MD) –  Even with residents expected to reduce their travel due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Maryland State Police will continue to be on alert to ensure motorists remain safe on the road this holiday season.

Troopers from each of the 23 Maryland State Police barracks will continue to focus enforcement efforts on impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving and other violations that often contribute to highway tragedies, especially during the holiday season.  Additional troopers will be working overtime assignments throughout the month funded by highway safety grants from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office (MHSO) 

State troopers will also be using a variety of patrol initiatives between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day to keep traffic moving, respond quickly to highway incidents and take appropriate enforcement action when violations are observed that threaten the safety of travelers.

According to the MDOT MVA’s Highway Safety Office, an average of 145 people died from impaired driving crashes, 159 died from distracted driving crashes and 32 from aggressive driving crashes annually from 2014-2018 in the state. Over the same span, an average of 2,124 people were injured by impaired drivers, 17,908 were injured as a result of distracted driving and 1,550 were injured by aggressive drivers in Maryland.

Troopers are urging motorists to avoid impaired driving and plan for a designated driver or a sober ride home. Help us keep Maryland highways safe throughout this holiday season.

###

CONTACT: Office of Media Communications, 410-653-4236 or msp.media@maryland.gov