2007 Holiday Impaired Driving Task Force

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2007	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

2007 Holiday Impaired Driving Task Force

On Wednesday, November 14, law enforcement agencies within Montgomery County will begin the multi-jurisdictional task force designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy the upcoming holiday and party season, while remembering the importance of not driving while impaired. This year’s task force will be comprised of the six full-time members of the Montgomery County Police Alcohol Initiatives Unit, along with representatives from each of the six police districts, joined by officers from the Maryland National Capital Park Police, Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Gaithersburg City Police Department. Included in this group are a number of officers specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts, who have expertise in detecting violators who are impaired by prescription drugs or illegal substances.

Several techniques and initiatives that will be utilized during the Holiday Task Force are: saturation patrols, compliance checks, controlled dispersal of underage drinking parties, covert surveillance of alcohol establishments, and sobriety checkpoints.

Saturation patrols consist of active enforcement of traffic laws in areas known for a high number of alcohol-related tragedies. Based on accident and arrest data, additional officers will be assigned to these areas, with the goal of getting the drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road.

Compliance checks use underage volunteers who attempt to purchase alcohol at establishments which hold alcohol licenses. These volunteers do not misrepresent their age or provide false identification. These compliance checks take place county-wide to ensure that shopkeepers are careful not to sell alcohol to minors. Surveillance of local businesses who sell alcohol will take place by officers in plain clothes and unmarked cars.

During the holiday season, police routinely respond to calls for underage drinking parties. Once it is confirmed that alcohol is being consumed by attendees under the age of 21, the controlled dispersal plan is enacted to ensure that everyone in attendance is able to get home safely. All attendees are screened for alcohol usage, and those who are under age 21 are issued citations. Every person is then ensured a sober ride home. If they are juveniles, their parents are notified to come and get them. The Montgomery County Police Department is again working with the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control, Montgomery County Public Schools, and other agencies in the third year of the “Adults Who Host, Lose the Most” campaign to prevent the sale and/or furnishing of alcohol to minors. Any parents or other adults who host, or allow, an underage drinking party to take place, are liable for a fine of up to $1,000 for EACH underage person in attendance. Anyone who becomes aware of a planned underage drinking party should call 301-670-SAFE (7233). Anyone who becomes aware of a party that is currently in progress should call 301-279-8000, the police non-emergency number. Brochures on how to host an alcohol-free party can be picked up at county liquor stores and are available through the school system.

Finally, sobriety checkpoints will be conducted in conjunction with “Checkpoint Strike Force”, which is a combined effort in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Mid-Atlantic region to have increased DUI patrols each weekend. The location of the checkpoints is based on accident and traffic data focusing on areas drivers are most at risk for encountering impaired drivers.

This year’s Holiday Task Force is committed to getting the alcohol and drug-impaired drivers off the roadway, and making a safer, and more enjoyable holiday season for everyone, by this concerted effort to prevent unnecessary impaired driving tragedies in our community.