Montgomery County Steps Up Impaired Driving Enforcement in Response to Anticipated Spikes on the Night Before Thanksgiving – Mocofeed

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD), and the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) are warning residents ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday to plan their night and not drive if they choose to celebrate with alcohol or have used cannabis.  

“Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times of year for our roadways, and also one of the most dangerous,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We expect to see a record number of drivers on the road this year, and that, along with the early evening darkness and an increase in alcohol consumption, can lead to deadly consequences. I urge anyone who plans to be on the road that evening to buckle up and stay alert. And if you plan to celebrate with drugs or alcohol, plan ahead for a ride home. Designate a sober driver ahead of time, plan to use an app, or take public transportation. All Ride On buses are zero fare, so you can hop on a bus anytime to get a safe ride home.” 

MCPD has activated a “Holiday Task Force” to detect impaired drivers. MCPD established sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols starting November 19, in advance of Thanksgiving and lasting through the New Year’s holiday period, ending on January 10, 2026.  

As part of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero effort to prevent death and injury on its roadways, the County annually implements a Holiday Task Force in which police officers from multiple agencies devote time and attention to detecting impaired drivers.  

Maryland drivers found guilty of driving under the influence can face loss of license, hefty fines, and jail time.   

Last year, the Montgomery County Holiday Task Force arrested 238 drivers and issued 2,773 citations for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  

“Thanksgiving Eve is widely known as the biggest drinking day of the year. It is also a time when kids are home from college and people tend to be more apt to make poor decisions when it comes to community safety,” said MCPD Police Chief Marc Yamada. “Our Holiday Task Force will be out in full force to identify and stop impaired drivers, because these collisions are entirely preventable. If you choose to drink, you should ALWAYS choose a sober driver/ride. Plan ahead, look out for one another, and help us keep Montgomery County’s roads safe for everyone.”  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from 2019-23, more than 860 people nationwide died in crashes involving a drunk driver, accounting for more than one-third of all car-crash fatalities over that time period. The biggest risk factor for fatalities in a car crash is not wearing a seatbelt. In 2023, 44% of alcohol-related car crash fatalities were unbuckled car occupants. 

“As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to remind everyone that alcohol safety starts long before someone gets behind the wheel,” said Kathie Durbin, director of the Montgomery County Department of Alcohol Beverage Services. “Our licensed businesses are trained not to overserve and to recognize the signs of intoxication. Their vigilance, combined with responsible choices by customers, helps keep our roads and communities safe during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.” 

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Drivers can find a listing of local safe rides on the County’s Vision Zero website here.   

For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.   

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