Carroll County Sheriff's Office: “Strikeforce nabs Intoxicated Drivers during first weekend of patrols”

“Strikeforce nabs Intoxicated Drivers during first weekend of patrols”

Effort part of State’s goal “Toward Zero Deaths” in August

Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland, August 9, 2010 ---- In an effort to reduce the fatalities caused by impaired driving, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies began a month long intensive enforcement initiative this weekend, stopping 148 motorists along Carroll roadways for motor vehicle law violations, seven of which resulted in the arrest of impaired drivers. Additional arrests included three suspended drivers, and one motorist who was in possession of personal use quantities of marijuana and associated paraphernalia.

Last year alcohol and drug use were a factor in twenty-nine percent (29%) of fatal collisions in Maryland in spite of law enforcement arresting more than 24,000 impaired drivers. Maryland’s alcohol limit is .08, which can be reached by consuming as little as one drink over a one-hour period. For those under age 21, Maryland’s zero tolerance law requires the arrest for the presence of any alcohol. Through strategic enforcement efforts and promoting awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office will work toward reducing the number of alcohol and drug related traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Each weekend during the month of August, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office will join forces with the Maryland office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and allied law enforcement agencies as part of the “Checkpoint Strikeforce” campaign. The Deputies primary objective will be enforcing those violations indicative of impaired driving while using the opportunity to heighten public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and send a clear message to violators that impaired driving will not be tolerated.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to drink responsibly, and reminds motorists to designate a sober driver before consuming any alcohol, call a taxi or other public transportation, and don’t let others who are impaired take to the road.

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