Frederick, Maryland –The Frederick Police Department announced today they are joining with other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials across the nation in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving this November and December throughout the Holidays. The Frederick Police Department will participate in and support saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints conducted through the Mid Western Highway Safety Task Force under Checkpoint Strikeforce before and during the holidays in an effort to prevent and reduce traffic accidents.
In every State as well as the District of Columbia it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
In 2008 there were 8,137 impaired driving crashes in Maryland. Nearly 4,291 persons were injured in these crashes and 164 people lost their lives. In Frederick County there were 285 impaired driving related crashes, 6 of those resulted in fatalities.
Kim C. Dine, Chief of Police, Frederick Police Department said, “Our officers will be out there saving lives and reducing traffic accidents by enforcing traffic safety laws. Our proactive approach includes efforts at educating the public and apprising our citizens ahead of time to improve voluntary compliance. Enlightened communication with our citizens is one of the best ways to improve safety and the quality of life in our City. We want our citizens to know we will be out there protecting them and saving lives."
Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk, not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant. Violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial costs include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects.
Don’t risk your freedom, your career, your license, or your life this holiday season. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
(The Department is also requesting local radio stations to arrange if possible the broadcast of the attached Public Service Announcement. Please contact us for arrangements)