December 21, 2005
Designated drivers should top the holiday gift list
Designated sober drivers should top adults' wish lists this holiday season because more than 500 law enforcement agencies are participating in a statewide drunk driving crackdown. To highlight the enforcement initiative and encourage responsible celebrations, "mocktails" are being served at several sites across the state today to officially kickoff the enforcement initiative.
The You Drink & Drive. You Lose. crackdown began Dec. 19 and runs through Jan. 1. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is coordinating the drunk driving crackdown by providing federal traffic safety funds to nearly 100 agencies to boost patrols while hundreds of other agencies have vowed to make stopping and arresting drunk drivers a priority during the holiday season.
"When you are out celebrating the holidays, always designate a sober driver before the party begins," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director. "Driving drunk endangers everyone on the road, and Michigan law enforcement officers will be out in full force to make this holiday season a safe one. If you catch a buzz, catch a ride."
Motorists who have been drinking are urged to:
- designate a sober driver
- take a cab or
- spend the night
Party hosts are asked to serve non-alcoholic "mocktails" for designated drivers at holiday gatherings and to make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
During an August drunk driving crackdown, more than 1,800 motorists were arrested for drunk driving.
In spite of progress made in reducing drunk driving in Michigan, 37 percent of traffic fatalities involve alcohol and/or drugs. There were 418 traffic deaths in 2004 where alcohol and/or drugs were involved. Last year, there were four Christmas holiday traffic fatalities and six traffic deaths during the New Year’s holiday. Of those fatalities, five involved alcohol.
The 28 counties receiving federal traffic safety funding for overtime patrols include: Allegan, Alpena, Bay, Calhoun, Delta, Dickinson, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Mason, Menominee, Midland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Otsego, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
A list of participating grant-funded law enforcement agencies can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/ohsp.
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