Impaired driving crackdown continues through December 10 - those caught can expect arrests, fines and possibly jail time.
This is a statewide initiative put on by law enforcement officers to prevent drunk driving. There will be increased drunk driving enforcement patrols through December 10.
“Law enforcement officers want you to arrive home safely,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. “We’re encouraging everyone to make the right choice–never drink and drive.”
Drunk driving has serious consequences to not only victims who are injured or killed, but also to drivers who are arrested for the crime.
Michigan law considers persons with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater to be driving drunk.
The Office of the Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) committee says the penalties for the first offense can include up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine up to $500, with enhanced penalties for BAC of 0.17 or above. Convicted drunk drivers are subject to an additional $1,000 penalty under the driver responsibility program for two consecutive years.
“Before you go out for an evening of activities, be sure to plan ahead to get a safe ride home,” Prince said. “Do a 360-degree assessment and ask yourself: How will I get there? How will I get home? Who is coming along?”
The Michigan OHSP state that, in 2016, 416 people died in Michigan as a result of alcohol and/or drug-involved traffic crashes. During the same year, 31% of drivers in alcohol-involved crashes were between the ages of 25-34 and 23.7% were 24 or younger.
More information about how to “Do a 360” can be found at www.michigan.gov/360.
