Montgomery County Police have announced that tonight (Monday, July 3, 2023), Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint and will conduct focused enforcement on impaired driving laws. The exact location of the checkpoint will not be disclosed in advance.
What: Sobriety Checkpoint
When: Tonight (Monday, July 3, 2023), beginning at approximately 10 p.m.
Where: Undisclosed Location
Last week, Montgomery County released the following message regarding an increased police presence over the holiday weekend: “As Independence Day weekend approaches, the Montgomery County Department of Police and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are warning motorists: Impaired driving is drunk driving. County Police and allied local and State police departments will be on the road with enhanced patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend.
Maryland’s recreational cannabis legalization law goes into effect on Saturday, July 1. Under the referendum that voters approved in November, adults 21-and-over can purchase recreational cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Possession of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis by adults over the age of 21 will be legal. County Police are emphasizing that it is illegal to drive while impaired, including under the influence of cannabis.
“Our officers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout the extended weekend,” said Montgomery Police Chief Marcus Jones. “We implore drivers to think of cannabis the same way they think of alcohol. Do not get behind the wheel of a car if you are impaired. Our officers will pull over and arrest anyone they suspect of driving while impaired. Alcohol, marijuana and other drugs can impair the ability to drive because they slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for everyone.”
Nationally, the holiday weekend, marked by celebrations and increased travel, often comes with a surge in traffic crashes caused by excessive speed, impairment and distracted driving. The National Safety Council estimates 619 people may die on U.S. roads this Independence Day holiday.
MCDOT strongly advises celebrants to make arrangements ahead of time for safe transportation to and from events. The County’s Vision Zero effort to prevent death and injury on Montgomery County roadways offers a listing of local safe rides on its website here.
“We are expecting a record number of travelers to be on the road this weekend and into early next week,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “With Independence Day falling on a Tuesday this year, we know many people have plans to take an extended weekend for travel. Anytime someone chooses to drive while impaired it creates a serious threat to our community and combined with the sheer number of drivers on the road, this an especially dangerous time. We urge anyone planning to use alcohol or cannabis as part of their celebration to plan a safe ride home before heading out.”
To aid this effort, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide®, in partnership with Lyft, will offer a limited number of codes for $15 off a Lyft from 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, until 4 a.m. Wednesday, July 5. The first 1,500 passengers who enter a promo code that will be posted on July 4 at 3 p.m. will receive free rides up to $15. Users must be 21 or older and are responsible for any costs above $15. The service is valid in Lyft’s Washington, D.C. coverage area.
To request a SoberRide
- Go to SoberRide.com.
- During an active campaign time, the website will list the promo code.
- Open the Lyft App on your smartphone.
- Tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
- Tap ‘Rewards’ in the menu that appears.
- Tap ‘Enter promo code’ to add the SoberRide® code from the website (remember to check spelling).
- Tap ‘Apply’ to finish.”
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Free Community Father-Daughter Dance
Fathers and father figures, create unforgettable memories with your daughter at our free community father-daughter dance on June 1st, from 6-8 pm. Hosted outdoors at Olney Baptist Church. This event offers a delightful outdoor experience complete with a DJ spinning tunes, interactive games, a charming photo booth, delicious treats, and exciting raffle prizes. Fathers/father figures and daughters of all ages are warmly welcomed to share in this special evening together. Join us for an evening of joy, laughter, and cherished moments!
In the spirit of giving back to our community, we are partnering with Quest to Feed Montgomery to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. We kindly ask each attendee to bring along a non-perishable food item to donate during the event. Every contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way in supporting families facing food insecurity in our area.
