Officers from the Frederick Police Department stopped vehicles on West Patrick Street as part of a DUI Checkpoint over the July 4th weekend.
On Saturday, July 6th, the Frederick Police Department conducted a DUI Checkpoint Operation in the 500 Block of West Patrick Street between 8pm and 1am. A total of 618 drivers were contacted during the operation, and in addition to having their sobriety checked by officers, were given information provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office regarding impaired driving. The enforcement effort is part of a year-round effort by the Frederick Police Department in partnership with and funded by a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related fatal traffic collisions to zero. There have been over 800 DUI-related fatal traffic accidents in the State of Maryland since 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
FPD Planning Officer Joe Palkovic stated, "We want people to know we are doing our best to make sure they go home safely at night. Enforcement efforts like this are just one tool we use to get out that message." The FPD will plans to continue with other impaired driving enforcement, as well as aggressive driving and speed enforcement all summer long.