Law Enforcement Cracking Down On Drunk Drivers Through April 8; Motorists Should Count On A Sober Driver, Not Luck, To Get Home Safely
Issued: March 13, 2013
Luck may belong to the Irish and might even help a college hoops team make it through the playoffs, but it won't help Michigan motorists who don't designate a sober driver over the next couple of weeks.
Law enforcement agencies in 26 counties are conducting more than 13,200 hours of extra patrols to arrest drunk drivers today through April 8. This time period includes the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's and women's basketball tournaments, high school and college spring break periods and St. Patrick's Day. A five-year review of crash data indicates both alcohol use and lack of seat belts play a significant role in fatal and serious injury crashes in March and early April.
Law enforcement officers from 155 agencies in Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Delta, Eaton, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne counties are participating in the crackdown. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is coordinating the effort which is supported by federal traffic safety funds.
"It doesn't matter if you're out rooting for your favorite team at the local sports bar or celebrating the luck of the Irish at the corner pub, if alcohol is part of the festivities make sure you designate a sober driver to get you home safely," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "Extra officers will be out on patrol, and if you're caught driving drunk you will be arrested."
In 2012, 2,488 people were arrested for drunk driving during the NCAA tournament time period. Of those, 789 were arrested under the state's high blood-alcohol content (BAC) law with BAC's of .17 or higher. More than 400 of those arrests were made by grant-funded law enforcement agencies during last year's drunk driving crackdown.
In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired. Motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested for a first-time drunk driving offense with a .17 BAC or higher.
