What can result from refusing to take a breathalyzer test in Maryland?

Refusing to take a breathalyzer test in Maryland leads to an automatic suspension of driving privileges for up to 12 months. This consequence is a part of Maryland's implied consent laws, which state that by obtaining a driver's license, a driver agrees to submit to a chemical test if suspected of driving under the influence. When a driver refuses this test, it triggers an administrative penalty that results in the suspension, regardless of whether the driver was actually guilty of DUI. This policy is designed to encourage compliance with testing to facilitate law enforcement in determining impairment levels and to enhance road safety.