Police Step Up Labor Day Weekend Traffic Enforcement

Maryland State Troopers will be conducting multiple traffic enforcement initiatives statewide during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

State Police will be conducting Operations SHOWBOAT (SHOre-Wide Bullseye On Aggressive Traffic) and Millipede throughout Labor Day weekend. Both operations will target aggressive driving and impaired driving. Motorists will notice an increase in state police presence throughout the state as dozens of additional troopers take to Maryland’s highways conducting strict traffic enforcement.

Operation SHOWBOAT will concentrate its efforts on U.S. Route 50 from Anne Arundel County to Ocean City and U.S. Route 13 in Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties. Operation Millipede will focus its efforts on I-95 from the Delaware Line to the Virginia Line. Additional DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols and speed enforcement will be conducted throughout the state.

“As we continue to focus on the reduction of fatalities and serious injuries due to motor vehicle crashes statewide, troopers will take action by locating and arresting impaired drivers as we work to keep Maryland roads safe during the holiday weekend”, said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “Police in Maryland are committed to removing drunk drivers from our roads to meet the goal of zero deaths in Maryland.”

Last year during the Labor Day holiday period of August 30th through September 3, 2013, police report there were three alcohol related crashes which killed three people. During that same time period, state troopers arrested 130 drunk drivers. Also during the 2013 holiday weekend, troopers made 9500 traffic stops, issued over 6700 citations, and made 226 criminal arrests.

Police urge motorists planning to drink alcoholic beverages to choose a designated driver or make other arrangements before they start drinking. This can include hiring a cab or staying in walking distance from the party location.

To receive up-to-the-minute transportation news and information, motorists can call 5-1-1 for the latest traffic related news, such as crash related traffic jams, lane closing roadwork and weather related delays.