Nearly 300 motorists were arrested for drunk driving as part of special St. Patrick's Day patrols conducted in 29 counties throughout the state last month. Federal traffic safety funds put additional officers on the road in an effort to deter drunk driving March 14-21.

Officers from local police departments, sheriff offices and Michigan State Police posts reported:

• 285 OWI arrests
• 129 other alcohol citations and arrests
• 38 other felonies
• 2,018 safety belt citations
• 23 child restraint citations

"We continue to see far too many motorists who drive drunk simply because they believe they won't be caught," said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. "These patrols are essential to efforts to reduce the number of people who die in alcohol related crashes."

A first time drunk driving conviction carries heavy penalties and fines including up to 93 days in jail, up to a $500 fine, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on a driver's license and up to 180 days' license suspension.

Alcohol-related crashes are eight time more likely to be fatal than those not involving alcohol. In 2008, there were 20 fatal traffic crashes during the week surrounding St. Patrick's Day, killing 21 people. Eight of those crashes were alcohol-related.

Counties receiving federal funds for increased patrols include: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Cass, Chippewa, Delta, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Mason, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne.