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Local LE Combine Efforts for Halloween
- By shore update
- Published October 30, 2009
- Eastern Shore News
As the year of 2009 inches closer to its conclusion, Maryland's law enforcement leaders are preparing strategic operations initiatives to ensure Maryland's motorists arrive safely into 2010. The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) and the Maryland Sheriffs Association are pleased to join with the Maryland Highway Safety Office, along with state and local law enforcement agencies, in supporting a safe and sober environment for both motorists and pedestrians. Through increased and targeted drunk driving saturation patrols, and sobriety checkpoints throughout the Halloween weekend, agencies aim to arrest anyone who drives under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Alcohol has been and continues to be a major factor in fatal crashes on Halloween. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm October 31 to 5:59 am November 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state. In Maryland in 2008, there were over 82 alcohol related crashes and a staggering 5 alcohol related fatalities during the Halloween weekend.
Maryland's law enforcement agencies have incorporated a comprehensive data-driven approach in an effort to reduce impaired driving this Halloween weekend. Throughout the state of Maryland, drivers will witness an intensive amount of law enforcement officials conducting sobriety checkpoints and a less visible but highly effective enforcement strategy with increased patrol vehicles actively searching for drunk drivers in areas that have traditionally experienced high numbers of drunk driving arrests or crashes. Police chiefs stress the importance that whether you drive a car, truck or motorcycle, if you are caught driving impaired, there will be repercussions. Strict enforcement of impaired driving laws are necessary as alcohol-impaired-driving is one of America's most often committed and deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in the U.S. highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC of .08 or higher - 32 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year.
"The costumes may hide your identity at a Halloween party," said President of the MCPA and Chief Superintendent of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police George F. Johnson IV. "But should you decide to get behind the wheel of an automobile after consuming alcohol, be forewarned that there is no masking of impairment."
Pedestrians, especially young children, are particularly vulnerable on Halloween weekend. With many youth out after dark and oftentimes dressed in dark clothing, law enforcement will be especially diligent in ensuring motorists are aware of pedestrians. In 2008 there were 31 pedestrians injured in motor vehicle crashes and one fatality.
"Our law enforcement community is on high alert this weekend not only for pedestrian violations," said President of the Maryland Sheriffs Association Sheriff Mike Evans. "But also for motorists who compromise the safety of pedestrians."
It is law enforcement's position that any loss of life is completely unacceptable, particularly when these deaths are preventable. Enforcement patrols will be working diligently to reduce these numbers, along with the number of impaired driving related-injury crashes, which totaled a staggering 88 for the Halloween weekend in 2008. The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs Association urge motorists and party-goers to adhere to the following advice:
" Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; " Before drinking, please designate a sober driver; " If you're impaired, and haven't designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely; " If you live in Baltimore, call 1-877-963-TAXI for a free ride home from a bar (up to $50, courtesy of the Tipsy? Taxi! Program); " If you live in the DC Metro area, call 1-800-200-TAXI for a free ride home from a bar(up to $50, courtesy of the Sober Ride program); " If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to call 911.
The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association is an alliance of executive law enforcement officers from State, Local, and Federal Agencies dedicated to leading and supporting the efforts of police chiefs and sworn law enforcement executives in advancing the science and art of police services.
The Maryland Sheriffs' Association represents the Sheriffs in Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City mission and is charged with assuring the highest standards of fairness, equality and professionalism in public safety.
Alcohol has been and continues to be a major factor in fatal crashes on Halloween. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm October 31 to 5:59 am November 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state. In Maryland in 2008, there were over 82 alcohol related crashes and a staggering 5 alcohol related fatalities during the Halloween weekend.
Maryland's law enforcement agencies have incorporated a comprehensive data-driven approach in an effort to reduce impaired driving this Halloween weekend. Throughout the state of Maryland, drivers will witness an intensive amount of law enforcement officials conducting sobriety checkpoints and a less visible but highly effective enforcement strategy with increased patrol vehicles actively searching for drunk drivers in areas that have traditionally experienced high numbers of drunk driving arrests or crashes. Police chiefs stress the importance that whether you drive a car, truck or motorcycle, if you are caught driving impaired, there will be repercussions. Strict enforcement of impaired driving laws are necessary as alcohol-impaired-driving is one of America's most often committed and deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in the U.S. highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC of .08 or higher - 32 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year.
"The costumes may hide your identity at a Halloween party," said President of the MCPA and Chief Superintendent of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police George F. Johnson IV. "But should you decide to get behind the wheel of an automobile after consuming alcohol, be forewarned that there is no masking of impairment."
Pedestrians, especially young children, are particularly vulnerable on Halloween weekend. With many youth out after dark and oftentimes dressed in dark clothing, law enforcement will be especially diligent in ensuring motorists are aware of pedestrians. In 2008 there were 31 pedestrians injured in motor vehicle crashes and one fatality.
"Our law enforcement community is on high alert this weekend not only for pedestrian violations," said President of the Maryland Sheriffs Association Sheriff Mike Evans. "But also for motorists who compromise the safety of pedestrians."
It is law enforcement's position that any loss of life is completely unacceptable, particularly when these deaths are preventable. Enforcement patrols will be working diligently to reduce these numbers, along with the number of impaired driving related-injury crashes, which totaled a staggering 88 for the Halloween weekend in 2008. The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs Association urge motorists and party-goers to adhere to the following advice:
" Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; " Before drinking, please designate a sober driver; " If you're impaired, and haven't designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely; " If you live in Baltimore, call 1-877-963-TAXI for a free ride home from a bar (up to $50, courtesy of the Tipsy? Taxi! Program); " If you live in the DC Metro area, call 1-800-200-TAXI for a free ride home from a bar(up to $50, courtesy of the Sober Ride program); " If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to call 911.
The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association is an alliance of executive law enforcement officers from State, Local, and Federal Agencies dedicated to leading and supporting the efforts of police chiefs and sworn law enforcement executives in advancing the science and art of police services.
The Maryland Sheriffs' Association represents the Sheriffs in Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City mission and is charged with assuring the highest standards of fairness, equality and professionalism in public safety.