WASHINGTON — Beach-goers headed to Ocean City over Memorial Day weekend or later this summer should watch for changes designed to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians.
For the first time, the Ocean City Police Department has a specialized DUI Enforcement Team — police who focus their attention throughout their shift on tracking down and pulling over tipsy drivers.
“These guys will be out looking for you,” says the department’s Lindsay O’Neal.
“I think there are close to 200 liquor licenses within a 10-mile stretch of our island here, so DUI unfortunately is a problem here in our resort town, so we really want to curb that.”
Read more about Ocean City’s specialized DUI enforcement here.
Also new since the end of last summer is a lower speed limit on part of Coastal Highway. Between 62nd and 33rd streets, the speed limit was reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. “That’s consistent with the rest of our downtown area,” O’Neal says.
Drivers will also notice changes to sidewalks and medians meant to improve pedestrian safety and discourage people from crossing Coastal Highway in spots where there is no traffic light.
A new traffic light and pedestrian crossing has been added at 54th Street.
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More from Ocean City:
- Pirate’s Den reopens in new spot as Barn 34
- New restaurants opening in Ocean City
- Seaside Country Store: The most unusual store on the shore
- Ocean City summer calendar packed with events
- Dumser’s scoops up 75 years of happiness
- Smoking bans increase on Rehoboth, Bethany beaches
- Ocean City increases DUI enforcement, pedestrian safety
