Extra drunk driving patrols on the road
This July 4th weekend will start out with some flashes of red, white and blue. Officers in Michigan and six other states will take part in a targeted enforcement effort along the I-94 corridor from the Canadian border to Montana on July 2 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The effort will kick start the annual Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown in 30 Michigan counties.
The federally funded enforcement effort takes place July 1-11 and includes the much-traveled July 4th holiday weekend. The enforcement is coordinated by the Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).
“More people traveling means a greater risk of crashes, especially when alcohol is involved,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. “Our goal is to warn people of the enforcement so they will make the responsible decision not to drive drunk, otherwise they can expect to be arrested.”
Last year, one pedestrian was killed in an alcohol-related traffic crash during the July 4th holiday.
The penalties for a first-time drunk driving conviction include up to 93 days in jail, up to a $500 fine, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on a driver’s license and up to 180 days’ license suspension.
In addition, convicted drunk drivers will be subject to a $1,000 fee for two consecutive years, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs. Anyone who refuses a breath test the first time is given an automatic one-year driver’s license suspension.
For a listing of planned enforcement times, dates, and locations, visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.
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