September 23, 2009 - Annual Drunk Driving Crackdown Results in Fewer Drunk Driving Arrests
Contact:
Alyson Kechkaylo, OHSP, (517) 333-5304
Agency:
State Police
Drunk drivers arrested during the recent Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown are just beginning to deal with the ramifications of their arrest, however, the positive news is that more people heeded the campaign's warnings resulting in fewer drunk drivers on the road and fewer arrests.
This year, officers made more than 13,000 traffic stops compared to 11,770 last year, yet arrested 200 fewer drunk drivers. During this year's three-week enforcement period, 552 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while 770 were arrested in 2008.
The annual Over the Limit. Under Arrest. drunk driving crackdown also netted 67 drug-related arrests, 108 open intoxication citations, 248 seat belt and child seat citations, and 32 other alcohol-related arrests.
Nearly 300 law enforcement agencies took to the streets Aug. 15 - Sept. 7 as part of the nationwide effort to reduce injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving crashes. The crackdown was coordinated by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and paid for with federal traffic safety dollars.
"The high visibility ad campaign and increased police presence are working to deter drunk driving," said OHSP Director Michael L. Prince. "The goal of these drunk driving crackdowns is to keep people from driving drunk in the first place. Making an arrest is the second line of defense."
Officers will again work federally funded overtime enforcement during Halloween weekend. Timeframes for stepped up enforcement are selected based on crash data, agency participation and officer availability.
Preliminary results show there were 10 traffic fatalities in Michigan over the Labor Day holiday weekend, two of which involved alcohol, according to the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. In comparison, 12 people died in traffic crashes during the 2008 Labor Day holiday weekend, four of which involved alcohol.
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