Checkpoint Strikeforce out in force for holiday

Police: Call 911 to report suspicions of drunk driving

Friday, March 12, 2010

The St. Patrick's Day celebration is quickly approaching and the Calvert County Sheriff's Office wants to remind all of those celebrating to plan ahead when attending events where alcohol will be served.

The sheriff's office participates in the Checkpoint Strikeforce initiative and will be conducting a DUI checkpoint as well as increased DUI enforcement and patrols during this holiday time, a sheriff's office press release stated.

The sheriff's office asks people to report drunk driving by calling 911. If people see a drunk driver on the road, call police as soon as possible and be sure to provide a description of the vehicle including its make, model, tag number, color, location and direction of travel.

Lt. Dave McDowell, commander of the patrol division, said police frequently get calls from people reporting drunk drivers.

"We encourage citizens to report drunk drivers," he said, however, he does not want people to pursue the vehicles or try to perform law enforcement measures.

"We will be out there aggressively looking for people driving while intoxicated," McDowell said.

"St. Patrick's Day has proven to be a significant problem nationally and we have seen increased arrests in Calvert County as well. In response to that, we have increased enforcement," said Debbie Jennings, coordinator of the Calvert County Traffic Safety Council.

"The data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate in the past five years, more than 851 people were killed in crashes during the St. Patrick's Day holiday and more than 327 of them were involved in crashes caused by drunk driving. Don't count on ‘the luck of the Irish' to get you home safely if you have had too much green beer and choose to operate a motor vehicle," the press release stated.

Motorists who are driving while impaired by alcohol and or drugs will be caught, arrested and prosecuted. A blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sheriff Mike Evans said in the press release, "St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrated by many. Please remember if you consume alcoholic beverages to designate a driver. There will be sobriety check points throughout the county. Enjoy the holiday, but be responsible."

The Greene Turtle Restaurant of Prince Frederick will be offering a designated driver program this weekend where people may sign up to provide their group of friends a ride home in exchange for free sodas and a chance to win a dinner for two in a drawing, said manager Keith Basiliko.

"Make arrangements for a safe and sober ride before anyone in your party begins consuming alcoholic beverages. Do not let your friends or family get behind the wheel if they've been consuming alcohol," the press release stated.

charvat@somdnews.com