Drive drunk and you could lose your freedom this Independence Day. Nearly 300 law enforcement agencies will be out on Michigan's roads with special patrols looking for one thing -- drunk drivers.
Officers in 55 counties will be participating in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown June 26 through July 5. These extra patrols are funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) through federal traffic safety dollars. The funds will allow for a boost in patrols as well as a paid advertising campaign in Southeast Michigan to bring awareness to the crackdown.
"Whether you've had way too many or just one too many, it's not worth the risk," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "There is no justification for driving drunk and Michigan law enforcement won't be accepting any excuses. Get caught driving drunk and you'll be going to jail." Last year, 14 motorists died in Michigan over the July 4th holiday, with five of those deaths involving alcohol and three of those motorists being unbuckled.
In 2008, there were 317 alcohol-related traffic deaths, a decrease of 8.2 percent from 2007. Although the number of alcohol and/or drug-related traffic deaths declined last year, crashes involving alcohol are eight times more likely to be fatal.
Television, radio, cable TV and internet advertising will be focused in Metro Detroit to let motorists know about the crackdown. Targeted advertising will reach the group most likely to drive drunk -- men between the ages of 21 and 35.
The following 55 counties will conduct drunk driving patrols June 26-July 5: Allegan, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Delta, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Mackinac, Macomb, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.
For a listing of planned enforcement times, dates, and locations, visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.
Printer Friendly
Text Version
Twitter
Facebook
Yahoo
Google
Digg
Newsvine
StumbleUpon
Bookmark
Email Page
Stay Connected
Get Lottery Drawing Information!
Get the Latest News!