HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Drivers in Howard County are reminded to plan a sober ride on St. Patrick's Day. Extra officers will be on the road checking for those who display signs of being under the influence.

"Designate a driver, call a ride service or make other plans, but DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE," the Howard County Police Department said in a statement.

Every year more than 160 lives are lost in Maryland in crashes involving impaired drivers and thousands more are injured, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

It can cost more than $10,000 for a DUI, which may result in fines, DUI classes, fees and license suspensions.

The legal blood alcohol concentration is .08 percent in Maryland, and those who exceed it should arrange for a sober ride home.

Police encourage drinkers to download the Safer Ride app, which is sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and pulls up taxi services in the area. On St. Patrick's Day, the Howard County Police Department will be hosting a virtual ride-along, aka a "Tweet-along," on the department's Twitter account. It will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 17.

Maryland State Police also plans to be on the lookout for drunk or drugged drivers this St. Patrick's Day weekend across the state.



As St. Patrick's Day approaches on Saturday, March 17, troopers say they are expecting more drunk drivers on the roads this weekend.

The agency will conduct saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. SEE ALSO: St. Patrick's Day DUI Patrols Planned By Maryland State Police

