[February 4, 2016, Bel Air, MD] Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office announces a 105% increase in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests made by deputies throughout Harford County in 2015. During the year, the Sheriff’s Office recorded 365 DUI arrests, compared to 177 in 2014. This is an increase of 188 arrests.
To achieve this milestone, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office conducted DUI checkpoints, saturation and directed patrols, and other initiatives throughout 2015 in an effort to protect our families, friends and neighbors from those that make irresponsible choices when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Even one death due to a driver being under the influence is too many and totally preventable according to Sheriff Gahler.
“Drivers and passengers have many alternatives to arrive home safely. Drunk and drugged driving is never an option and will not be tolerated in Harford County”, says Sheriff Gahler. The Sheriff’s Office, on average, made one DUI arrest every day of 2015. Sheriff Gahler acknowledged this is the largest increase in DUI arrests on record for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and stresses his commitment to all areas of traffic safety.
Harford County faces many persistent and difficult highway safety issues. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to improving highway safety through education, enforcement and engineering and supports the State’s long-term goal of zero deaths. DUI enforcement has proven to be a strong strategy toward achieving our goal.
Initiatives to stop and deter impaired driving continue during the upcoming Super Bowl weekend. During the weekend of February 6th, Sheriff’s Office deputies will work in partnership with allied law enforcement agencies across the State of Maryland to keep the roads safe during the Super Bowl. Saturation patrols are planned throughout the weekend, targeting drunk and drugged drivers. Additionally, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Sunday, February 7th, 2016 from 8:30 pm until 10:30 pm.
“Whether you want the Broncos or Panthers to win this weekend, we are ultimately all on the same team when it comes to protecting life,” says Sheriff Gahler. “Help us keep the roadways of Harford County safe by always having a designated driver when you are out celebrating. And if you see something, say something! Call 911 to report those you suspect of driving under the influence.”