Michigan Statewide Drunk Driving Crackdown Begins

August 16, 2007 -- Motorists over the limit will find themselves under arrest during statewide drunk driving crackdown.

Not only will law enforcement officers be out in force in 55 counties as part of the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown across Michigan, but in an effort to ensure drunk drivers pay for their crimes, additional officers will also conduct warrant sweeps for individuals wanted for previous alcohol-related charges.

Extra officers will be out in force to look for and arrest drunk drivers during the statewide campaign, which runs from Aug. 17-Sept. 3. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is coordinating the enforcement effort by providing federal traffic safety funds for overtime enforcement to nearly 230 agencies to boost patrols in selected areas and by funding paid advertising to ensure widespread awareness of the crackdown. Officers from more than 500 agencies across the state have agreed to participate in the campaign.

At least 45 agencies will also conduct warrant sweeps in 28 counties during the two-week crackdown. In a 2006 pilot project four counties conducted sweeps, resulting in 295 arrests on outstanding warrants, 268 of those for alcohol-related offenses.

"Michigan law enforcement officers are going to be out arresting drunk drivers and ensuring they are prosecuted for their crimes," OHSP director Michael L. Prince said. "We are putting everyone on notice. There will be no warnings, no second chances. Anyone caught driving while over the limit will find themselves under arrest."

Two pilot projects in Kalamazoo County will increase visibility of drunk driving enforcement. Mobile billboards about the crackdown will roam the streets for three weekends, and electronic message signs will be installed in 40 patrol cars. These highly visible signs are mounted in the rear window or roof of the patrol car and can be programmed with messages promoting the type of enforcement detail being conducted.

Last year, Michigan experienced an 8 percent increase in alcohol and/or drug-related traffic fatalities, which now represents just over 40 percent of all traffic deaths, the highest percentage the state has recorded in more than 10 years. In 2006, 440 people died and 7,678 were injured in alcohol and/or drug-related crashes on Michigan roadways. During the 2006 Labor Day weekend, eight people died in traffic crashes, two of which involved alcohol.

The 55 counties receiving 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, Lenawee, Livingston, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistique, Marquette, Mason, Menominee, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Otsego, Ottawa, Roscommon, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.

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

Source: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning

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