Troopers also issued nearly 1,000 speeding citations.
Pikesville, Md. Maryland State Police say troopers made 89 arrests for driving under in the influence during the Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. In addition, authorities say 999 citations were issued, along with more than 3,933 warnings and 3,039 citations for other offenses. .
From March 16th through the 18th, troopers conducted 5,843 traffic stops, and investigated 141 crashes, three were fatalities.
State Police say these efforts were the result of saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints conducted by troopers from all 23 barracks around Maryland, bolstered by impaired driver saturation funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Traffic Safety Office.
The Frederick Police Department also conducted a Sobriety Checkpoint during the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Operations were set up in the 500 block of West Patrick Street on Saturday, March 16th from 10:00 PM until 1:00 AM.
Officers contacted 217 drivers for signs of alcohol impaired driving and other safety violations. They also provided each motorist with safety tips and information on impaired driving, speeding and seatbelts. One arrest was made for Driving Under the Influence.
Authorities say this checkpoint by the Frederick Police Department is part of the Toward Zero Deaths campaign funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Traffic Safety Office.
Traffic deaths continue to be the leading cause of death of Maryland motorists, and police urge everyone who gets behind the wheel to drive sober, obey the speed limit, use your seatbelt and eliminate any distractions.
By Kevin McManus