(PIKESVILLE, MD) – As part of Maryland’s ongoing efforts to support public safety efforts in Baltimore, a combined task force is set to operate sobriety checkpoints in the city this weekend to identify and arrest impaired drivers.
A team comprised of members of the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Baltimore Police and Baltimore Sheriff’s Office will conduct sobriety checkpoints during the overnight hours this Friday and Saturday along Boston Street. The location was chosen in part due to an increased number of impaired driving incidents in that area, especially during weekend periods.
The sobriety checkpoints will be staffed by police officers from each of the five departments who are trained to identify drivers potentially impaired by alcohol and or drugs. Drivers suspected of impairment will be directed to an area near the checkpoint where additional field sobriety tests will be administered.
Troopers will have the Mobile Blood Alcohol Testing truck on-site, which enables them to immediately administer breath tests to suspected impaired drivers. This eliminates the need to transport the suspected impaired driver to a barrack or police station with breath testing equipment.
Members of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort, or SPIDRE Team, will be assisting with the coordination and operation of the checkpoints. The SPIDRE Team, funded by the MDOT MVA Maryland Highway Safety Office, is a full-time team of troopers who focus solely on impaired driving enforcement.
WHAT: State/Local Police Sobriety Checkpoints
WHEN: Overnights of June 9th and 10th, 2023 – Between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
WHERE: Boston Street – Between Fells Point and Canton
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CONTACT: Office of Media Communications, msp.media@maryland.gov
