The collaborative law enforcement Border-to-Border effort kicks off March 15, 2022, as police agencies in eastern Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia team up for this high visibility, life-saving enforcement wave on Route 13 during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (DOHS), along with law enforcement and transportation officials, are coming together to save lives on their roads.
“Impaired drivers are a continuing problem on our roadways, with increased concerns around St. Patrick’s Day,” said Richard Klepner, Deputy Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “The most important aspect of celebrating is planning ahead by ensuring a sober ride home. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.” During the 2021 St. Patrick’s Day period, from Tuesday, March 16, through Sunday, March 21, 2021, there were 27 impaired driver-related crashes, 10 injuries, and one preventable death in Delaware. Law enforcement agencies in Delaware will be conducting multiple saturation patrols for the upcoming Route 13 Border-to-Border effort.
“Drunk driving is 100% preventable by planning ahead for a sober ride,” said Acting Virginia DMV Commissioner Linda Ford, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “If your St. Patrick’s Day celebration includes alcohol, please make sure it also includes a safe ride home.” Last year around St. Patrick’s Day, from Tuesday, March 16, through Sunday, March 21, 2021, there were 128 alcohol-related crashes, 69 injuries and four preventable deaths in Virginia.
Maryland and Virginia will conduct similar enforcement efforts including saturation patrols along the Route 13 corridor from March 16 through March 19.
A major North-South corridor cutting across the Delmarva Peninsula, Route 13 comprises 289 total miles – 137 in Virginia; 103 in Delaware; and 49 in Maryland.
In addition to agencies participating in the border-to-border efforts along Route 13, the following agencies will also be conducting high visibility enforcement across Delaware:
- Bridgeville Police
- Clayton Police
- Dagsboro Police
- Delaware City Police
- Delmar PD
- Dewey Beach Police
- Dover Police
- Elsmere Police
- Fenwick Island Police
- Georgetown Police
- Greenwood Police
- Harrington Police
- Laurel Police
- Lewes Police
- Middletown Police
- Milford Police
- Millsboro Police
- Milton Police
- New Castle City Police
- New Castle Co Police
- Newark Police
- Ocean View Police
- Rehoboth Beach Police
- Seaford Police
- Smyrna Police
- Wilmington
- Wyoming
- DSP
For more information on the campaign, statistics, and education on pedestrian safety, visit ArriveAliveDE.com/Drive-Sober
About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. Follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety on ArriveAliveDE.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
