With a cross state football rivalry like Michigan vs. Michigan State this weekend, and an increasing number of Halloween parties on the horizon, Michigan State Police and many local authorities have decided to step up patrols and enforcement efforts over the next couple of weeks to try to keep everyone safe.
In fact, State Police have recruited law enforcement officers from approximately 100 police departments, sheriff’s offices and their own ranks to help put impaired driving at the top of their priority list throughout Michigan during an enforcement crackdown which runs from tomorrow, Thursday October 18th through Monday, November 4th.
Authorities will be on the lookout for impaired drivers and will focus particular attention on those counties with a high number of fatal crashes involving drugs and alcohol.
Michael Prince is Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. He says, “October is an especially deadly time of year for alcohol and drug related crashes.” He adds, “We want people to enjoy fall activities such as tailgating and Halloween parties in a safe, responsible manner. Motorists are advised to drive sober as officers will be conducting strict, stepped up enforcement to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries.”
The month of October saw the third highest number of alcohol-involved fatal crashes in Michigan between 2011 and 2016, with 151 total. Only the months of August (167) and July (159) saw a higher number of fatal crashes.
October was also the fourth highest month for the number of drug-involved fatal crashes in Michigan during the same six-year period, with 84 total.
State Police remind you it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (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.
In Michigan, impaired driving represented 45.7-percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017. Overall, 359 people died in 2017 because of alcohol-involved traffic crashes, an increase from 274 in 2016.
The impaired driving enforcement campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and coordinated by the OHSP.
