Leonardtown, Md. –– The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Mothers Against Drunk Driving for the St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday initiative on August 23, enhancing patrols to curb impaired driving ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Deputies plan to boost DUI enforcement operations countywide as part of this nationwide effort, which aims to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by drivers under the influence. The St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday operation supplements the office’s ongoing year-round campaigns against drunk driving.
“Your decisions behind the wheel affect others; make good ones. Drunk driving is a 100 percent preventable crime, yet it continues to devastate families and communities,” said Sheriff Steve Hall.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched Saturation Saturday eight years ago to coordinate with law enforcement agencies across the country during the late-summer travel surge. The initiative aligns with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs from mid-August through Labor Day to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. In 2025, MADD is teaming up with agencies in at least 16 states for St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday events, including sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols, to educate the public before the holiday weekend.
Federal data indicates drunk driving fatalities spike around Labor Day. In 2023, 511 people died in alcohol-related crashes nationwide during the holiday period, with 36% of those incidents involving a drunk driver and 62% featuring a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher. Every day in the U.S., 37 people are killed and 1,075 injured in preventable drunk driving crashes.
In Maryland, impaired driving remains a persistent issue. Over the past five years, nearly 800 people have died in crashes involving an impaired driver, accounting for a significant portion of traffic fatalities. Preliminary data for 2024 shows 277 reported fatalities year-to-date as of mid-August, down from 356 in the same period of 2023. Total traffic deaths in the state decreased by 6.3% from 473 fatal crashes in 2023 to 443 in 2024, though numbers remain high. Impaired driving crashes dropped about 6% from 2022 to 2023, with related fatalities declining by 9.6%.
Locally, St. Mary’s County has seen its share of impaired driving incidents. In 2020, 50% of all fatalities and 14% of serious injuries resulted from such crashes, compared to statewide averages of 32.5% for fatalities and 14.7% for serious injuries. The county experienced a 12% increase in DUI arrests from 2021 to 2022, contributing to Southern Maryland’s broader trend of rising impaired driving cases. Between 2021 and 2023, St. Mary’s recorded nearly 1,600 crashes, including fatal events. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office maintains an alcohol enforcement unit focused on underage drinking and DUI prevention, encouraging reports via 911 or direct lines.
The St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday push emphasizes prevention during a time when roads see heavier traffic from end-of-summer activities. A DUI conviction in Maryland can lead to severe consequences, including license suspension, fines and potential jail time, with effects lasting on a driver’s record. Nationally, a DUI costs an average of $10,000 in legal fees, increased insurance and other expenses.
Sheriff’s officials stress responsible choices: never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, designate a sober driver in advance, use rideshare services or taxis, and report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911. These measures align with MADD’s mission to end drunk driving through advocacy, victim support and education.
As Labor Day approaches, the St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday serves as a reminder of the preventable nature of impaired driving tragedies. With partnerships like this, local law enforcement aims to reduce incidents in a county where traffic crashes, including those involving impairment, averaged over 1,500 annually in recent years, mostly resulting in property damage but with potential for worse outcomes.
For more details on Mothers Against Drunk Driving and resources, visit www.madd.org. Residents can stay informed on St. Mary’s County Saturation Saturday updates through the sheriff’s office website at www.firstsheriff.com.
