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Initiative aims to reduce drunk driving during the holidays
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year that calls for celebrations with cherished friends and family. However, it is important to celebrate responsibly. Law enforcement agencies in Maryland say that there are more arrests made for driving under the influence of alcohol during the holidays than at any other time of the year. This time of year, police forces commonly ramp up efforts to reduce drunk driving and keep roadways safe.
Drive Sober campaign
Officials in Charles County recently announced that the Drive Sober campaign will continue for the third consecutive year. The campaign will run from Nov. 20, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2024 to combat drunk driving and promote safety during the holiday season. This period is historically one of the deadliest times of the year for motorists.
During the Drive Sober campaign, law enforcement will reportedly ramp up patrols and set up DUI checkpoints. The initiative also focuses on bringing awareness to responsible behavior, like designating a sober driver. This season, the State Attorney’s Office is providing a special discount code for Uber rides and distributing rideshare gift cards to encourage safe driving in Charles County.
Off-duty officer arrested and charged with DUI
There aren’t many things as embarrassing as being pulled over and handcuffed on suspicion of driving under the influence. Being thrown into the back of a police car and accused of DUI can cause any person many sleepless nights filled with anxiety and worry. To add to the humiliation, many of those who are charged with DUI in Maryland often appear in local newspapers and media outlets for everyone to see.
Details of a recent DUI arrest
Recently in Washington D.C., an off-duty police officer was arrested and charged with DUI. The incident happened during the overnight hours near the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. According to reports, officers made a traffic stop on a female driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. Reports said another officer who was not in uniform drove up in a marked police car.
Allegedly, the off-duty officer approached and ordered the woman to leave the scene while ignoring the other officers’ commands to stay away. Reports said police noticed an odor of alcohol on the off-duty officer’s breath and asked him to take a Breathalyzer, which he refused. Reportedly, the off-duty officer was arrested and charged with DUI.
Council members raise concerns over lack of enforcement
Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the most reckless and dangerous things a person can do. Unfortunately, the nation’s capital and the surrounding areas see high rates of drunk drivers. This has prompted police forces and officials to step up efforts to combat this problem. Lawmakers in Washington D.C believe the city may be falling behind in its goal of making roads safer.
Breathalyzer ignition program
During a recent hearing on new bills aimed at reducing dangerous driving, the D.C. Council raised concerns over a lack of enforcement of current laws. More specifically, a law that was enacted to prevent drunk driving. Last year, the city instituted a mandatory Breathalyzer ignition program that those convicted of DUI must adhere to to get a reinstated license.
With the Breathalyzer ignitions, if the driver has a breath alcohol level of .02 or above, the vehicle will not start. According to records, over 300 people were in the program. However, it was reported that only eight D.C. residents who were convicted of DUI have these interlocking devices on their vehicles. Council members say officials must crack down on enforcing this law to keep streets safe.
Driver faces DUI charges after recent accident
Getting arrested can be a stressful and worrisome experience. Being thrown into the back of a police car, having a mugshot taken and locked in a jail cell are ordeals that no one in Maryland wants to experience. Drunk driving charges can be especially humiliating. As with many other criminal offenses, those convicted of DUI charges can face serious consequences.
Man arrested and charged
A recent accident in Anne Arundel County resulted in a driver being arrested and facing possible DUI charges. The incident happened in Gambrills near the 2500 block of Davidsonville Road. According to reports, a pickup truck and an SUV were involved in a collision.
Reportedly, the driver of the SUV and a child passenger were both injured in the crash. Authorities said the child was properly restrained in a car seat but had to be airlifted to a medical center with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured, but police said he showed signs of intoxication. Police indicated the man was placed under arrest and was charged with DUI along with other charges.
New law targets boating under the influence of alcohol
It is common knowledge that consuming alcohol while operating a motor vehicle is illegal and can have serious consequences. Drunk drivers contribute to thousands of fatal accidents every year in Maryland and across the country. Being arrested on suspicion of DUI is a serious matter and could result in jail time if a person is convicted. Now, boating under the influence can now show up in DUI records of offenders in Maryland.
House Bill 483
In a recent announcement, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said charges related to boating under the influence will now count towards past DUI charges. The law is referred to as House Bill 483. It allows authorities to examine charges in an individual’s vehicle or boat operating history to more accurately determine penalties for repeat offenders.
Reportedly, boaters who have a blood alcohol content above .08 or are determined by law enforcement to be so impaired that they cannot safely operate the boat would be subject to charges of Grossly Negligent or Drunk or Drugged Operation of Vehicle or Vessel. The DNR noted alcohol consumption played a role in two fatal boating accidents last year in Maryland. The new bill was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore and went into effect on Oct. 1.
What factors influence a Breathalyzer test?
When a Maryland driver is pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the officer may also ask the driver to blow into a device known as a Breathalyzer. Even those who have never taken a Breathalyzer test are likely aware of these devices. They are used to determine blood alcohol content (BAC). However, like all machines, these devices are not 100% accurate. Here are a few things that could affect a Breathalyzer test.
Influencing factors
There are several factors that can affect a person’s BAC and may influence Breathalyzer tests. Body composition is a key factor in BAC levels. For instance, those who have a smaller stature often experience intoxication quicker. Yet, those with a higher body fat percentage can have a higher BAC due to a greater concentration of alcohol in their lean tissues, since body fat doesn’t absorb alcohol. Also, drinking on an empty stomach can make for a faster absorption of alcohol and play a role in BAC levels.
Drivers can also receive DUI charges for marijuana
The recent legalization of marijuana in Maryland has made headlines across the country. Although Maryland drivers know that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal, some may not be aware that marijuana can also have an impact on driving ability. Drivers who get behind the wheel after using marijuana can also receive DUI charges.
Cannabis-related DUI
A recent study released by the Drug-Free America Foundation suggests that cannabis-related DUIs are often higher in states where marijuana is legal. The study examined data collected in 2022 and found cannabis-related DUIs occur about 32% more in states where cannabis is legal in some capacity when compared to states where cannabis is not legal. Yet, like most states, Maryland does not have a law for how much THC must be present for a driver to be cited.
What happens after a DUI arrest in Maryland?
When a driver is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, the future becomes uncertain. Those facing DUI charges are usually embarrassed and take a hit to their reputations. They may also endure some anxious nights without much sleep. In recent years, law enforcement agencies across Maryland have ramped up efforts to combat drunk driving. But what happens immediately after drivers in Maryland are formally charged with DUI?
What happens next?
Anyone arrested on suspicion of DUI will be required by authorities to submit to a chemical test of their blood alcohol content. A driver with a BAC of more than .08 will receive an order of suspension and the driver’s license will be seized. A driver who refuses to submit to the BAC test will also suffer a license suspension.
After a driver’s license is taken, the driver will be given a 45-day temporary paper license. Drivers in this situation can request a hearing to challenge their license suspension. The length of time a driver’s license is suspended after a DUI arrest will vary depending on the situation, but it can range from 180 days to two years. Two-time offenders whose BAC is .15 or more, or who were involved in an accident that resulted in a fatality, can have their license revoked.
Drivers’ license reinstatement after a DUI
Whether someone is charged or convicted of DUI in Maryland, their driver’s license will be impacted. Having a driver’s license suspended or revoked will almost certainly hamper a person’s ability to get around. Fortunately, driver’s license suspensions or revocations are rarely permanent. Here’s how long Maryland drivers may have to wait before they can get their revoked licenses reinstated after a DUI conviction.
Criteria for reinstatement
In Maryland, drivers who have violated an alcohol restriction can have their driver’s license revoked. Fortunately, drivers who have had their licenses revoked are eligible to have their licenses reinstated after a certain amount of time. The amount of time an individual must wait before requesting reinstatement varies depending on the number of times the driver’s Maryland license has been revoked.
The waiting periods in Maryland are:
Is it possible to be sober and still fail sobriety tests?
When a Maryland police officer makes a traffic stop and asks a driver if he or she has been drinking, it typically means the officer already has a suspicion. Often, in this scenario, the officer asks the driver to step out of the vehicle and take field sobriety tests. The officer can place the driver under arrest when the test is failed. However, it may be surprising to know that a person can fail field sobriety tests even if he or she is sober.
Failing field sobriety tests
The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) used by law enforcement across the United States is made up of three separate tests. They are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the Walk And Turn and the One Leg Stand. Failing any of these tests is enough for a driver to be arrested. However, there are several reasons why these tests can be failed even when the individual is not intoxicated.
Certain pre-existing medical conditions may interfere with the person’s ability to follow instructions and balance, or their eye movements. These conditions commonly include injuries, illnesses, disabilities, anxiety, fatigue and language barriers. Also, environmental factors like uneven surfaces or unfavorable weather conditions can affect field sobriety tests. Before drivers submit to field sobriety tests, they should always inform police officers of any pre-existing conditions beforehand.
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