Maryland Travel Trips for Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Maryland State Police are gearing up to enhance patrols starting Wednesday, anticipating the surge in travel as millions of Marylanders take to the highways. The intensified efforts aim to ensure road safety by focusing on impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving.

Troopers from all 23 barracks will be actively involved, conducting saturation patrols on roads with a history of high DUI incidents. This enforcement initiative is made possible by additional funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team, a specialized unit focused on identifying impaired drivers, will be deployed throughout the weekend. SPIDRE, funded by a grant from MDOT MVA Highway Safety Office, is committed to reducing alcohol-related injuries and fatalities in Maryland.

Collaborating with allied law enforcement and state agencies, the initiative includes outreach to the community through social media and electronic billboards, emphasizing the importance of responsible driving.

Localized Initiatives:

• Anne Arundel County: Annapolis and Glen Burnie barracks will focus on Route 50.
• Baltimore County: Golden Ring Barrack will boost patrols on interstates 695 and 83.
• Cecil and Harford counties: JFK Memorial Highway, Bel Air, and North East barracks will focus on Interstate 95 and major county routes.
• Garrett County: McHenry Barrack will conduct crash reduction and DUI enforcement on Route 219 and Interstate 68.
• Frederick County: Frederick Barrack will increase enforcement on major county roads, including Interstate 70.
• Kent and Queen Anne’s counties: Centreville Barrack will conduct aggressive enforcement operations for DUI and traffic violations on routes 301, 20, and 50.
• Prince George’s County: College Park and Forestville barracks will bolster patrols on Interstate 495 and the southern parts of the county.
• Washington County: Hagerstown Barrack will conduct DUI saturation patrols on interstates 70, 68, and 81.
• Wicomico County: Salisbury Barrack will focus enforcement on routes 50 and 13.
• Worcester County: Berlin Barrack will conduct proactive DUI enforcement throughout the county, with an emphasis on West Ocean City.

In addition to statements released by the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Transportation Authority advises motorists to plan for a safe drive by avoiding impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving. Adherence to Maryland’s Move Over laws is crucial, requiring motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching a vehicle displaying warning signals.

The Maryland Transportation Authority provides recommended travel times for major routes during the holiday period:

Bay Bridge:

• Eastbound: Nov 21–before noon and after 8 p.m.; Nov 22–before 9 a.m. and after 8 p.m.; Nov 23–before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.; Nov 24–before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.; Nov 25-26–before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Westbound: Nov 22–before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.; Nov 23–before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.; Nov 25-26–before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

I-95 (JFK Memorial Highway and Fort McHenry Tunnel):

• Nov 21–before noon and after 10 p.m.; Nov 22–before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m.; Nov 23–before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.; Nov 24–before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.; Nov 25-26–before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.; Nov 27–before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301):

• Nov 22–before noon and after 6 p.m.; Nov 26–before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

Toll Information:

Tolls in Maryland are collected through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is recommended for cost-effectiveness. Pay-By-Plate automatically bills tolls to the driver’s registered credit card.

Driver Safety Reminders:

• Allow extra time to reach the destination.
• Obey speed limits and minimize distractions.
• Adhere to Move Over laws.
• Ensure the vehicle is road-ready.
• Obey overhead lane-use control signals.

MDTA Police emphasize zero tolerance for impaired driving and encourage reporting aggressive or dangerous driving. For real-time updates, follow on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA, and for Bay Bridge traffic information, call 1-877-BAYSPAN or visit Baybridge.com.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors