The Maryland Department of Transportation found impaired driving as a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, accounting for nearly a third each year. Over 160 people in Maryland are killed every year from accidents involving impaired drivers. Motorists under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs are driving impaired and endangering others on the roadways. Every year in Maryland there are over 6,000 crashes and 3,000 injuries attributed to impaired driving.
More on impaired driving
Drugs and alcohol can impair motorists’ ability to operate a vehicle as they normally would. Drunk drivers and motorists impaired by drugs may have less eye-hand coordination and slower reactions, resulting in a decline in their overall performance. In Maryland, tens of thousands of motorists are arrested for drunk driving every year. Some alternative options available in Maryland include rideshare services, public transportation, taxis or designating a sober driver.
Impaired driving in Maryland
Most impaired crashes in Maryland occur on the weekends, sometimes it’s twice as likely to occur. Typically impaired car accidents are most likely to occur after 5 p.m, but the rising popularity of tailgating and brunch is impacting early weekend hours as well. Close to 80 percent of the impaired crashes occur in the Baltimore and D.C. metro areas. Close to 30 percent of the time, the impaired driver is between 20 and 29.
In Maryland, saturation patrols and checkpoints are conducted regularly by law enforcement. In an effort to minimize the crashes caused by drunk driving, the state has enlisted several state troopers in the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort. The state’s S.P.I.D.R.E. taskforce is credited with removing over 3,600 impaired drivers from Maryland roadways since 2013. Anyone suffering damages from an accident caused by an impaired driver may be qualified to recover restitution.