Law enforcement agencies push importance of driving safety ahead of St. Patrick’s Day weekend

MARYLAND – “If you have alcohol in your system of more than 0.08 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, you’re considered to be under the influence of alcohol,” Phoebus said.

Did you know that the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is one of the Top 5 DUI enforcement nights of the year? Police say that’s why agencies across Maryland will be on high alert this weekend to catch impaired drivers.

Law enforcement agencies across Maryland urge drivers not to test their luck by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Thanks to grant funding, the Ocean City Police Department is implementing a period of specialized enforcement.

“So that’s putting additional officers out on the roadway. They’re not answering calls for service like our normal patrol officers are, they’re looking for those impaired driving type of offenses,” OCPD Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller said.

Ocean City police made a total of 23 arrests, with 8 being DUI-related offenses, during their St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend.

Salisbury Criminal Defense Lawyer John Phoebus says penalties for a first offense DUI can include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and up to 12 points on your driving record. “Many people are only able to avoid those suspensions by getting an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle for up to a year,” Phoebus said.

“Other charges in the state of Maryland allow you to expunge them from your record. But even a Probation Before Judgement for a DUI will stay on your driving record and your criminal record for the rest of your life.”

Phoebus adds that DUI charges can be costly including attorney fees, fines, and court costs. “It’s not quite the $10,000 dollars for a first offense the billboards say but it can be thousands and thousands of dollars as opposed to the $12 or $25 Uber ride,” Phoebus said.

“If a person causes an accident, hurts somebody else, or themselves they’re placing other people’s lives in danger by making the decision to drink and drive.”

The Maryland State Police ‘Border to Border’ initiative goes into full effect Wednesday. Drivers can expect DUI saturation patrols on routes identified as high-volume areas for crashes.

If you do plan to celebrate, you’re urged to plan ahead for a safe way home.

OCPD suggests using the bus service if you’re in the area or a ride share company.