The statewide Over the Limit. Under Arrest. drunk driving crackdown underway is an important reminder that Michigan's tough drunk driving laws are strictly enforced. This effort, involving law enforcement agencies in 55 counties, means additional federally funded drunk driving patrols are out now through Labor Day weekend.

While most motorists make safe and responsible driving decisions, nearly 50,000 Michigan motorists were arrested for drunk driving last year. In 2006, 1.4 million people nationwide were arrested for impaired driving. Crashes involving alcohol are eight times more likely to be fatal than those not involving an impaired driver.

An impaired driving arrest is a one-time only event for most drivers. Those convicted of drunk driving face penalties including fines up to $500, up to 93 days in jail, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on their driver's license, driver responsibility fees of $2,000, higher insurance rates and an automatic six-month license suspension.

For others it takes a more intense recovery and rehabilitation program, and that's where Michigan's DUI courts come in. DUI courts bring together law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, treatment providers and most importantly offenders to prevent convicted drunk drivers from making the same mistakes again. DUI courts have dramatically reduced recidivism rates for repeat drunk drivers.

"We recognize that enforcement alone will not solve our drunk driving epidemic," Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) Director Michael L. Prince said. "OHSP funds are supporting DUI courts, and we encourage their spread throughout our state."

DUI courts take a rigorous approach to rehabilitating offenders and a use comprehensive, sustained program including therapeutic interventions, treatment and other services to reduce the chance of relapse, re-arrest and incarceration as well as increase a participant's periods of abstinence.

The programs last from 12 to 18 months depending on the individual and their needs. Since the inception of DUI courts in Michigan, thousands of offenders have been through the programs. Offenders who complete the DUI court programs are six times less likely to be re-arrested in the first year than those offenders who go through the traditional jail and probation system after a drunk driving arrest. OHSP provides federal funds to establish DUI courts and support their operation.

The 55 counties utilizing federal traffic safety funding for overtime patrols include: Allegan, Alpena, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clinton, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Mackinac, Macomb, Marquette, Mason, Menominee, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Otsego, Ottawa, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Wexford.

For a listing of enforcement times, dates and locations, visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.