DRIVERS could be slapped with a $1,000 fine or even end up in jail under a crackdown coming into place this weekend.
Police are ramping up patrols for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that often sees spikes in drunk driving.
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Maryland troopers say they’re launching a statewide sweep to catch impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers throughout the holiday weekend.
The crackdown is part of a high-visibility enforcement campaign backed by Maryland’s Highway Safety Office.
All 23 Maryland State Police barracks and the agency’s State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team will be out in full force.
Officials say the patrols are meant to keep roads safe and quickly respond to any highway incidents.
The crackdown falls under Noah’s Law, which triggered tougher DUI penalties nearly a decade ago.
Named after a Montgomery County police officer killed by a drunk driver, the law took effect in 2016.
Anyone busted for driving under the influence could face up to a $1,000 fine and a year behind bars.
Repeat offenders risk even steeper consequences, including jail time and having their license taken away.
If convicted twice in five years, you must enroll in Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program.
The program requires a breathalyzer device installed in your car to prevent future offenses.
Drivers convicted of DWI, a lesser offense, still face fines up to $500 and possible jail.
A first-time DWI carries up to two months behind bars and a six-month license suspension.
If you are caught a second time, the penalties rise to a year and up to 12 months’ suspension.
Sanctions are even harsher for underage drivers and those caught with kids in the car.
What is Noah’s Law?
An enhanced version of Noah’s Law went into effect in Maryland on October 1, 2024.
What is Noah’s Law?
- The original law, which was named after Montgomery County police officer Noah Leotta, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on December 3, 2015, was initially passed in 2016.
- But after several tweaks to the law, an exposed loophole allowed convicted drunk drivers to bypass having an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle.
- If a driver receives a probation sentence before judgment, they are not mandated to install the system.
- Now, the enhanced will force all drivers convicted of alcohol-related offenses to install an interlock device in their car.
- An ignition interlock device works like a breathalyzer test in a person’s car.
- The driver has to blow into the device before they’re allowed to start their car.
- If the blood alcohol content level is over the legal limit, the vehicle’s engine will not start.
Maryland data shows impaired drivers kill an average of 158 people each year.
More than 2,700 people are injured annually in crashes involving drunk drivers, according to state officials.
Over the past five years, nearly 800 people were killed in impaired driving incidents.
Authorities say planning ahead is the key to avoiding arrests and saving lives.
“Plan ahead and get home safely this Cinco de Mayo weekend, Maryland,” said Maryland State Police.
Authorities are urging drivers to use rideshares, public transit, or designate a sober driver.
