June 11, 2004

Nearly 500 Michigan law enforcement agencies will take part in a statewide drunk driving crackdown beginning Friday, June 25, through Sunday, July 11, in a coordinated effort to stop and arrest drunk drivers. This will be the first summer drunk driving mobilization under the new and tougher .08 law.

Nearly 35 percent of all fatal crashes in 2003 involved drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The percent of alcohol-related crashes increases significantly during the summer months. Studies have shown that motorists are more likely to drive sober with increased police patrols. These statewide mobilizations are federally funded, allowing for increased officer presence and overtime patrols to focus on drunk driving enforcement in the state’s high-population and high-travel areas.

"Michigan officers are trained to spot drunk drivers and are serious about keeping roads safe," said Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) division director. "These mobilizations are particularly important during summer months because increased recreation and travel make Michigan roads especially dangerous."

Prince adds, "We want everyone to enjoy the great activities, like boating and beaches, offered in Michigan, but to do so responsibly. Sometimes, people do not realize they have had too much to drink after a day in the sun."

Michigan was the 44th state to adopt a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) standard for drunk driving offenses. Prior to the change in law, .08 BAC was considered impaired driving in Michigan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates the country would save 400-600 lives each year if all states adopted .08 laws.

According to NHTSA, laboratory and on-road research shows that the vast majority of drivers are significantly impaired at .08 with regard to critical driving tasks such as braking, steering, lane changing, judgment and divided attention. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports driving skills can be affected at BAC levels as low as .02 (www.niaaa.nih.gov). Alcohol also affects everyone differently (by age, gender, physical condition, amount of food consumed, etc.).

With the new drunk driving law, those convicted for a first drunk driving offense now face:

• Up to 93 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine
• Up to 360 hours of community service
• Up to 6 points on a driver’s license
• Up to 180 days’ license suspension

In addition, convicted drunk drivers will be subject to a new $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.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.