To ensure motorists are safe as they travel this holiday weekend, police agencies across Michigan will be stepping up their patrols and looking out for drunk drivers and unbuckled motorists.
The Michigan State Police reports that 15 people died in 12 traffic crashes during the 2015 Labor Day holiday period. This is almost double the traffic related deaths reported in 2014, which were six fatalities.
Of the 2015 Labor Day holiday crashes, nearly two-thirds involved alcohol, the MSP reports. Police also believed that nine of the fatalities were not wearing seat belts.
The extra patrols are funded through the federal government, and is part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” campaign which began Aug. 15 and will continue through Monday.
“The Labor Day holiday weekend is a time for many families to travel our state one last time before the summer ends. This traffic safety campaign generates thousands of additional hours of police patrols with a focus on dangerous driving behavior,” said Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) Director Michael L. Prince. “Motorists are advised to drive sober and buckle-up as officers will be conducting strict, stepped up enforcement.”
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, the press release states. If the BAC is .17 or higher, motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested for a first time drunk driving offence.
State law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat, the release states.
