DUI Checkpoints
Hello Facebook Friends, and welcome to another fun filled edition of TTT with Sergeant Eaton. Maybe ‘fun-filled’ is not the best way to describe this week’s post. Some of you may have heard that last weekend the Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.), participated in a DUI checkpoint. The reason I suggest that some of you may have heard about our checkpoint is because we announced it online in the days leading up to the detail.
“But Sergeant Eaton…how are you supposed to arrest drunk drivers if you are announcing the checkpoints ahead of time on Social Media?”
Many people think that DUI checkpoints serve only one purpose: to arrest impaired drivers. While that is MOSTLY true, a large focus of a DUI checkpoint is driver education. There are several local, state, and federal laws which govern DUI checkpoints. One of those laws requires that the checkpoint be announced ahead of time. Another law requires up to post large sign boards ahead of the checkpoint When a driver stops at a DUI checkpoint, the Deputy will make contact with the occupants of the vehicle and, more often than not, will provide some type of literature regarding the dangers of impaired driving. However, and here is the kicker, in addition to Deputies working the line, there are usually other Deputies in the area conducting traffic stops. These Deputies are also looking for impaired drivers. In fact, just last weekend, Deputies working the checkpoint detail conducted about thirty traffic stops and made two DUI arrests. Not a bad night’s work, if you ask me.
According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office, over the past 5 years there have been an AVERAGE of 3,127 injuries per year as a result of impaired driving. Over that same time period, an average of 163 Maryland driver have died as a result of impaired driving. I would like to see both numbers drop to zero here in Harford County.
As the summer starts to wind down, PLEASE make smart decisions when it comes to drinking and driving. There are enough options out there (taxi service, ride share programs, friends and family, etc.) that there should be no reason to get behind the wheel if you’ve had one too many pina coladas.
As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call at one of the numbers below.
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324