Md. State Police To Increase Patrols During The Holiday Weekend

Troopers will be focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving.Pikeville, Md (KM) Maryland State Police say they will have an increased presence on the state’s highways during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.Saturation patrols will be conducted by all of the 23 Barracks around Maryland, focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. The patrols will  include the SPIDRE Team that will focus on removing dangerous drivers from the highways. SPIDRE stands for State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort.Troopers will be heavily patrolling highways which have a large number of DUI crashes.Motorists  who are convicted of driving under the influence can face fines and penalties. For the first offense, drivers could be fined up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. Twelve points will be assessed on your driver’s license and your license could be revoked for  up to six months.A second offense has a fine of $2,000 and up to two years incarceration with a mandatory minimum of five days. Twelve points will be  assessed on your license, and it could revoked for up to one year.For motorists with a third DUI conviction within five years, there’s a mandatory suspension followed by a minimum required period of participation in the Ignition Interlock Program. You may be required to take part in an alcohol abuse and assessment program.Authorities remind residents who are driving this weekend to avoid getting behind the wheel while impaired,  .and have a sober driver take you to your destination. Also, put the cell phone down and obey Maryland’s move-over law, which requires motorist who see any vehicle along the side of the road to move into the next lane, or slow down.AAA projects more than 956,000 Marylanders will be heading out during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.By Kevin McManus