Almost 80 Drunk Drivers Arrested Over the Weekend in Maryland

         Over the weekend, Maryland State Police arrested 77 drivers suspected of drunk driving.  Police had not increased drunk driving patrols like they sometimes do on weekends, so it is likely that several other drivers were driving under the influence and did not get caught.  The summer-like weather could be to blame for the increase in drunk drivers on Maryland roadways.  When the weather is warm, more people tend to go out and drink and then decide they are ok to drive home.  Three of the seventy-seven arrested were involved in separate accidents with state vehicles.

            Just outside Washington, D.C., a driver under the influence of a controlled substance crashed on the side of the beltway near the Wisconsin Avenue exit.  Also in that area, another drunk driver caused a crash wither several vehicles on I-270 and fled the scene.

            In Washington County, a man under the influence of alcohol crashed his ATV into a police car parked in a driveway.

            In Montgomery County, a Maryland State Trooper pulled over a driver under the influence of alcohol with the assistance of another trooper.  During that arrest, another drunk driver crashed his vehicle into the trooper’s car.  Luckily, no major injuries were reported.

            Finally, another drunk driver went off the road and hit a State Highway Administration truck with all of its emergency lights on.  This accident caused a fire and the SHA worker was struck in the collision.  Luckily, his injuries were not serious and medical treatment was refused.

            Portner & Shure wants to remind drivers again to not drink and drive.  No reason to put your own life and the lives of others at risk of serious injury or death.  With warmer weather here to stay, drivers need to remember to make smart decisions and call a taxi, Uber, or Lyft if you have been drinking.

             If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI it is important that you consult an experienced Maryland DUI attorney immediately because DUI is a criminal offense and carries potentially severe penalties.  An experienced attorney can guide you through the court process and find any possible defenses that can either mitigate the penalties in the case, or in some instances, lead to an acquittal or dismissal. 

             If you or a family member has been charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Columbia or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/