Impaired Driving in Michigan
In 2023, nearly 41 percent of fatalities on Michigan roadways involved alcohol and/or drugs.

Impaired driving—whether due to alcohol, drugs or both—is a year-round danger on our roadways. However, late summer and the Labor Day holiday period are among the deadliest times of the year for crashes and fatalities involving impaired drivers. 

Over the Labor Day holiday weekends from 2019 to 2023, there were a total of 44 driver fatalities in traffic crashes in Michigan. In those crashes, 43.2 percent of the drivers killed were alcohol- and/or drug-impaired, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). 

Throughout 2023, of the 1,021 fatal crashes that occurred in Michigan, 272 (26.6 percent) were alcohol-involved and 230 (22.5 percent) were drug-involved.

During the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign—running from August 15 through September 1—there will be increased enforcement and messaging about the dangers of driving impaired. During the enforcement period, the Michigan State Police, along with county and municipal police agencies across Michigan, will be encouraging motorists to celebrate the late summer and upcoming holiday weekend with safe-driving decisions. 

Other notable Michigan 2023 crash data from UMTRI:
· Overall, there were 8,817 alcohol-involved crashes (with 297 fatalities) and 2,250 drug-involved crashes (with 256 fatalities). The 297 alcohol-involved fatalities accounted for 27.1 percent of the total number of people killed (1,095).
· While “Had Been Drinking” (HBD) injury crashes were highest in both June and July in 2023 (342 each), the highest number of HBD fatal crashes (40) occurred in August.
· There were 1,589 (18.2 percent) drinking drivers in crashes who were aged 24 or younger.

During the enforcement, police officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired. 

To increase awareness and encourage safe and sober driving, the OHSP is funding a statewide media campaign about the dangers of impaired driving. 

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation and NHTSA and administered by the OHSP. 

Based on these three stages of an investigation, a police officer may request a chemical test. If a driver refuses to submit to a chemical test, their license will be suspended pursuant to Michigan’s implied consent law. Under this law, all drivers are considered to have given consent to the test when they apply for and renew their driver’s license.

Learn more about the costs and consequences of driving impaired.