More on DUI Checkpoints

May 28, 2024

Welcome to part three of our series: “Everything I Ever Wanted to Know About DUI Checkpoints.” Last Friday, members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office conducted a DUI checkpoint detail just outside of Bel Air. As I mentioned in the previous two #traffictiptuesday posts, the focus of a checkpoint is public education. Yes, we had Deputies out patrolling for impaired drivers. Yes, we made a few arrests that night, but in the end, the education we were able to provide the motoring public was a tremendous success.

In just under two hours, Sheriff’s Office Deputies made contact with 466 vehicles. Many of these had multiple occupants. This means that over 500 people travelling on our roadways had the opportunity to meet a Deputy and receive information about the dangers of impaired driving. Each driver was given a brochure that had information about DUI checkpoints, a link to the zerodeathsmd.com website, and statistics related to impaired driving. For example, over the past 5 years, more than 800 Marylanders were killed in impaired driving crashes. Not only were there no impaired driving crashes the night of the checkpoint, we also were able to confirm that every driver who came through the checkpoint was doing so without being impaired by drugs or alcohol.

For those that think we could have done more, let me tell you, we did! Deputies working DUI Saturation patrols during the checkpoint made 56 traffic stops. They issued 40 warnings and 51 citations for various driving infractions. In addition to this, three drivers were arrested. We also removed several suspended drivers from the roadway. All in all, not a bad night.

Now that the checkpoint is finished, our work is far from over. We have multiple DUI patrols scheduled throughout the summer as we work toward zero deaths on Maryland roadways.

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
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Detecting Drunk Drivers

May 21, 2024

Last week, we spoke about DUI checkpoints. Specifically, what to do if you approach one while driving. This week I want to get into a little more detail about detecting impaired drivers. Most people do not flag down Deputies to say ‘hey…I’ve been drinking since 9am and I probably shouldn’t be operating this vehicle. Would you mind arresting me so I can stop endangering other motorists?” So, how does law enforcement KNOW that someone is impaired. Well, to answer that question, I need to take you waaaaay back to ancient times.

In 1975 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- Drunk Driving wanted to develop a series of field sobriety test that could be used to determine if someone was under the influence of alcohol. Through a partnership with the Southern California Research Institute, the folks at NHTSA scoured the country and asked law enforcement agencies what time of sobriety test they were using on suspected drunk drivers. 6 tests were identified. The problem was that no two agencies were using the exact same tests. Furthermore, none of these tests were “validated” (AKA, there was no way to use them in court). Now NHTSA had some work to do. The goal was to determine the best and most practical roadside tests that could be used to see if someone was boozin’ and cruisin’.

Between 1977 and 1983 NHTSA did a ton of testing and studies and decided that the three most accurate and reliable tests for alcohol impairment were the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test, The Walk and Turn Test and the One Leg Stand Test. Since then, these tests have become standardized and systematic. Basically meaning, if you are stopped for DUI in Maryland and later fly to California (you’ll have to fly because your license will be suspended) and get stopped again for DUI, the Officer on either side of the country will utilize the exact same battery of tests. Even cooler is the fact that each of these tests have specific clues of impairment. Even MORE cooler is that these tests do not discriminate. Men, women, old, young, country music fans and death metal enthusiasts will all show the same clues when they are impaired.

So, the next time you are driving slow, sober and attentive (as we all should all the time) and you see some poor decision maker being put through a series of field sobriety test by a law enforcement officer, you can rest assured that if that person is impaired, the Officer will be able to see clues of impairment and get that dangerous bozo off of our roads.

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
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Upcoming DUI Checkpoint

May 14, 2024

If you are like me, you get a lot of your ‘current events’ news from the most reliable source out there: social media. Where else can you go for the latest Hollywood gossip followed immediately by a post from your grandmother telling the world about her disdain for marshmallows on sweet potatoes? Social media can be useful in many cases when it comes to sharing important information. For example, earlier this week, The Harford County Sheriff’s Office posted a notification about an upcoming DUI checkpoint. The Traffic Unit is hosting the event on Friday, May 24th. Let’s take a few moments to talk about what to do if you happen to bump into us Friday night (not literally I hope).
The two main questions I get when it comes to a DUI checkpoint are, ‘is this legal’ , and ‘what do I do if I see a DUI checkpoint up ahead?’ Let’s look at these one at a time.

Is this legal? – The federal courts have determined that DUI checkpoints are perfectly as long as the participating agency follows a few simple rules. Rule number 1: The public must be notified of the checkpoint ahead of time. This explains the aforementioned social media post. Rule number 2: The checkpoint must be well identified. If you come through our checkpoint next week, you will get to see loads of lights and signs and notices before, in, and after the checkpoint. If you are unable to tell that our checkpoint is a checkpoint, it may be time for new glasses. Rule number 3: There must be an “out.” Drivers are not required to participate in a DUI checkpoint. There will always be at least one (and usually multiple) opportunities to turn off prior to entering the checkpoint. But honestly, why would you want to miss a chance at saying ‘hello’ to Traffic Sergeant Eaton?”

What do I do if I see a DUI checkpoint – The easy answer is, drive sober and you will have nothing to worry about. The focus of a DUI checkpoint is all about driver education. Deputies and allied partners set up an area of the roadway to stop motorists, quickly check for impairment and then send them on their way. You will be given an information flyer with resources and tips as it relates to drunk driving. Typically, a person stopped in a Dui checkpoint will be on their way again in about ten to fifteen seconds. In the cases where we do find an impaired driver, they are escorted safely off the road and asked to submit to further testing (that is a topic for a later #traffictiptuesday).

Just remember, even if you think a DUI checkpoint is an inconvenience, we are out there working hard to get dangerous drivers off the road. And, if you need someone to complain to, I am sure you can find some sympathetic souls online who will listen!
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
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

New Car Technology

April 30, 2024

A couple of years ago, The Traffic Sergeant family needed a new vehicle. Our previous car was getting up in miles, and rather than risk a breakdown during a long road trip, we decided to upgrade. Like most car shoppers out there, I wanted the biggest, baddest four wheeled behemoth that money could buy. Fortunately for me (and my wallet), I took my wife with me. We eventually settled on a reliable car that will last us well into the future. I bring this up because our new car was a huge leap forward compared to our old vehicle as far as safety features go.

Most new cars these days have things like adaptive cruise control, automatic parallel parking, and adaptive headlights. Vehicle technology grows by leaps and bounds every year, and it is important to know what your vehicle can do to help keep you safer on the roadways. If only there was a good resource to help explain and demonstrate these important new safety features…

Well, do I ever have some good news for you. Our friends at the National Safety Council have developed a website that lays out all the newest safety features and how to apply them to your safe driving. Mycardoeswhat.org has a comprehensive list of safety features, plus resources, including videos, for a deeper understanding. Some you may already have encountered but not used to their full potential, some you may want to try in the future. For example, some drivers, such as myself, do not have much trouble parallel parking, and therefore would not need my vehicle to help me back into a space in front of Buontempo’s. My wife, however, might be very interested in parallel parking assistance (that isn’t advice from her husband).

So, when you decide it is time to go out and deal with pushy salespeople and unnecessary extended warranties, check out mycardoeswhat.org and see all the ways your new ride can make you an even safer driver.

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
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org