GLEN BURNIE, MD (November 4, 2024) – Seventy-eight law enforcement officers from 22 state, county and local police agencies were recognized this past weekend for their commitment to enforcing Maryland’s impaired driving laws. The annual Impaired Driving Law Enforcement Awards, a joint effort of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, was held Saturday, November 2, and honored officers dedicated to eliminating impaired driving crashes, injuries and deaths. The combined efforts of law enforcement officers statewide resulted in more than 13,423 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in 2023. “The Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to support our law enforcement officials, and we are grateful for their tireless efforts to keep impaired drivers off our roads,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “Together, we must prioritize traffic safety and cultivate a responsible atmosphere for everyone on the road.” The awards ceremony was held in Rockville and recognized officers for DUI enforcement, including five who made more than 100 arrests each: - Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Christian Lucente (150 arrests);
- Maryland State Police Trooper First Class Ethan Sigman (117 arrests);
- Maryland State Police Sergeant Anthony Wallace (101 arrests);
- Maryland Transportation Authority Police Officer II Justin Insley (112 arrests); and
- Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mark Shayne (123 arrests).
At the event, officials also thanked officers who serve as Drug Recognition Experts. These officers are trained in a scientifically validated method to identify people whose driving is impaired by drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. The following officers conducted more than 15 Drug Recognition Expert evaluations: - Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Grimm;
- Baltimore City Police Department Lt. Charles Smith;
- Harford County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Christopher Henize;
- Harford County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Bryan Walker;
- Maryland State Police Senior Trooper Gregory Bunger;
- Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department Officer II Steward Fountain.
From Left to Right: Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, Trooper First Class Ethan Sigman of Maryland State Police, MVA's Highway Safety Office Director Dr. Tim Kerns, MVA's Highway Safety Office Impaired Driving Program Manager Cliff Jacobs. “This year’s awardees represent the front lines in Maryland’s continuing fight against impaired driving,” said Kurt Erickson, President of the Maryland nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP). Maryland's Impaired Driving Enforcement Awards are supported by a grant from the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office to WRAP. Lieutenants Allen Hawk and James Runkles of Ocean City Police Department were awarded the Outstanding Innovative Award. In 2023, the Lieutenants established the Eastern Shore's first cannabis intoxication impaired driving lab, collaborating with local dispensaries and law enforcement to conduct field sobriety tests on volunteers after cannabis consumption. Their innovative approach included controlled go-cart driving to assess impairment, resulting in valuable insights for law enforcement and community education. The pair has future goals of incorporating the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy into the training. Over the last five years in Maryland, there have been more than 30,850 crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. Those crashes resulted in 638 deaths and 13,714 injuries. In addition to high visibility impaired driving enforcement operations throughout the year, the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office runs an educational campaign called “Be the SOBER Driver” and “Be the MAKE A PLAN Driver” to encourage everyone to make a plan for a sober ride home. Learn more about the Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or on Facebook, X and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD. ###
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