The Michigan State Police have released the results from the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown that took place from December 11th, 2020 to January 1st, 2021.
The increased patrols netted 159 drunk drivers and 39 drugged drivers out of 7,529 traffic stops. The enforcement was meant to get those who did too much holiday celebrating off the roads and decrease crashes and lives lost.
Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning said, “If you are impaired by any substance you shouldn’t drive. Motorists were asked to make responsible decisions as they celebrated the holidays and to have a plan in place to get home safely. Unfortunately, the holidays were not a merry occasion for everyone.”
The 2019 Drunk Driving Audit found that 41.9% of all fatal crashes involved alcohol, drugs, or both. A blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher will get drivers arrested, but the State Police remind drivers that they can be arrested at any blood alcohol level if the officer thinks they are impaired.
Driving while under the influence of drugs has the same penalty as drunk driving and there is no acceptable “blood alcohol level” for illegal drugs.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
