Maryland transportation and law enforcement officials are urging motorists to drive safely as the new school year begins and Labor Day travel increases traffic across the state.
The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Police said enforcement efforts will increase ahead of and during Labor Day weekend, with 27 law enforcement agencies conducting high-visibility operations throughout the state. Officers and troopers will focus particularly on identifying impaired drivers.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” Nearly 800 people have been killed in crashes involving impaired drivers in Maryland over the past five years. Speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving also remain leading contributors to serious and fatal crashes.
From August 25 through September 1, 2025, Maryland recorded nearly 150 crashes linked to impaired driving, including four that resulted in fatalities.
So far this year, Maryland State Police have removed more than 3,500 suspected impaired drivers from the road. That includes 560 arrests made by the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team in Baltimore.
Troopers have also cited more than 4,600 motorists for driving at least 30 mph over the posted speed limit and nearly 700 for exceeding 100 mph.
“The Maryland Department of Transportation is Serious About Safety and through our efforts, roadway fatalities in the state have declined for the last two straight years,” MDOT Secretary Katie Thomson said. “But every single roadway death represents a loved one who won’t be returning home to their family and a community forever altered.”
During a safety event in Baltimore County, officials demonstrated standardized field sobriety tests, ignition interlock devices and the Mobile Breath Alcohol Testing vehicle used to detect signs of impairment.
Motorists arrested for impaired driving in Maryland can face immediate Motor Vehicle Administration penalties, criminal or administrative charges, enrollment in an ignition interlock program and the loss of their driving privileges.
MDOT is also reminding drivers to slow down, remain focused, wear seat belts, move over for vehicles displaying flashing lights and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
