State & County Police Team Up To Take Drunk Drivers Off The Road

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Drunk drivers better think twice. State and county police are pairing up to take dangerous drivers off the roads right in time for the holiday weekend.

Meghan McCorkell has more on a new enforcement effort.

Those enforcement teams are made up of seven specially-trained officers who are already on the road.

State police have a new weapon in the fight against impaired driving: SPIDRE enforcement teams now going after drunk drivers.

"If you are drinking or using drugs, you best not drive because you will get caught in the web of the SPIDRE," said James Smith.

The SPIDRE, which stands for State Police Impaired Driving Effort, is made up of troopers targeting DUI hot spots.

"What we do is go off a crash where DUI and DUI-related crashes have occurred and we saturate those areas," said Cpl. David Ryan.

In the past five years, alcohol-related crashes in Maryland have resulted in 164 fatalities and more than 3,301 injuries.

"Drunk driving is a crime. It is a crime that kills and destroys lives," said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown.

"There are far too many alcohol-related crashes and that can be prevented," said Cpl. Marcus Brown. "Many times, these crashes involve repeat offenders."

This team has already been on the road since May. They've made more than 250 DUI arrests.

The SPIDRE team will now move on to Baltimore County as they continue their sweep across the state.

SPIDRE enforcement is part of a three year, $1.5 million initiative.