LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 24, 2009)—Authorities in the tri-county area today issued a statement announcing that border-to-border DUI checkpoints will be conducted this weekend between April 24 and 26. State police and sheriff's deputies from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties will participate. Saturation patrols will also be conducted in the areas surrounding the checkpoints.
Authorities say it is possible that drivers will encounter more than one checkpoint during their travel.
Authorities say their numerous, previous efforts to eliminate drunk driving have not been completely successful towards that end. "After weeks, if not months posting, airing, and otherwise making the public aware of enforcement efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roadways, many still drive after drinking," stated a press release issued by the Community Traffic Safety Program office in St. Mary's County.
A similar border-to-border saturation patrol conducted by police in Calvert and St. Mary's counties on Friday, April 17, resulted in 15 DUI arrests.
The checkpoints and saturation patrols also afford police the opportunity to make arrests for non-DUI related issues. Last Friday's exercise resulted in 147 vehicles being stopped. Of those, 6 citations were issued for driving on a suspended license and 6 citations were issued for speeding. Two criminal arrests and two arrests on outstanding warrants were also executed.
Local DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols are typically funded by the federal government.