JESSUP, Md. – Before Marylanders celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office and law enforcement officials are reminding motorists to stay safe by designating a sober ride home if they consume alcohol, cannabis or medications. During an event Tuesday at the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack, officials noted the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team will be out in force to take impaired drivers off the road.
“We are focused on ensuring the safety of everyone traveling on our roads this holiday weekend,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “The injuries and fatalities that occur because of someone’s poor decision to get behind the wheel while impaired are entirely preventable, which is why we continue to stress the importance of making a plan for a sober ride home – whether by using public transit, scheduling a rideshare or abstaining from drinking alcohol and drugs.”
Formed in 2013, SPIDRE is a specially trained team of state troopers who work in targeted areas in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan regions where impaired driving is a leading cause of death and injury. Team members train other state police troopers and local law enforcement officers, and partner with local police departments and agencies to reduce impaired-related crashes throughout the state. Maryland State Police and the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office provide funding for this effort. Since its inception, SPIDRE has been responsible for nearly 4,500 arrests for suspected driving under the influence.
“The Fourth of July should be a time of joy, reflection, and celebration. It should not be marred by preventable tragedies on our roads,” said Lt. Col. Daniel C. Pickett, Chief, Maryland State Police Field Operations Bureau. “Yet, each year, we see far too many lives lost or altered due to reckless behavior behind the wheel. Many of these crashes and lives lost are preventable.”
Administrator Nizer and Lt. Col. Pickett were joined by Megan Moore, the mother of Noah Blonder who was killed in an impaired-related crash in 2021.
“My life was forever changed that morning of June 5th when I opened my door to police officers who told me my son had been killed in a car accident. But this was not an accident. It was a crash. A crash caused by a driver who made the decision to get behind the wheel and drive impaired and reckless,” said Megan Moore during the press conference. “So many people have been impacted by impaired driving and yet this 100% preventable crime continues. If you are going to drink, please drink responsibly. And please never ever drink and drive.”
Impaired driving is 100% preventable. However, over the past five years in Maryland, nearly 800 people have been killed and nearly 15,000 have been injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. Police reports show increased speed, instances of impairment and lower seat belt use as the most common contributing factors in motor vehicle fatalities.
In addition to the SPIDRE team, impaired driving enforcement has occurred this year with state and local law enforcement agencies. Between January and June, law enforcement agencies arrested more than 6,200 impaired drivers.
Besides the risk of causing injury or death, driving under the influence or while intoxicated may result in an arrest, jail time, extensive legal costs and fines. Under the 2016 implementation of Noah’s Law, drivers convicted of DUI are also required to participate in Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program.
While the SPIDRE team and law enforcement partners will monitor roads for impaired drivers this holiday weekend, officials also warn pedestrians of the potential impact of impairment. Analysis of pedestrian fatalities has revealed an increasing number of pedestrians struck by vehicles have alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the crash. In addition to avoiding impairment, pedestrians are reminded of the following rules of the road:
- Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks whenever possible.
- Press the pedestrian signal button and wait for the walk signal.
- Always stop at the curb and look left, right and left before crossing a street.
- Watch for cars turning in or leaving driveways.
- Wear light or bright colored clothing, especially if out walking after dusk.
- Pay attention and take off headphones while walking – no texting or playing games.
- Walk, don’t run across the street.
Learn more about the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD.
