Super Bowl weekend was anything but super for drunk drivers in Michigan.
Sixty-five law enforcement agencies from 20 counties participated in a three-day crackdown against football fans and others who got behind the wheel while intoxicated.
The result: 45 drunk driving arrests – including 11 drivers cited under Michigan’s “super drunk law” for having a blood alcohol content level more than twice the state’s limit of .08.
Wayne County led the way, with 10 drunk driving arrests and 3 high BAC arrests.
“Michigan law enforcement officers don’t play games when it comes to drunk drivers. Forty-five motorists found this out when they made the poor decision to drive drunk over Super Bowl weekend and are now dealing with the consequences,” Michael Prince, Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning director, said in a news release.
Following is from CBS News 62 Detroit:
During that first weekend in February, officers statewide made 1,318 traffic stops during which they issued 47 seat belt and child restraint citations, 97 speeding tickets and 302 tickets for other traffic violations. In addition, 28 fugitives were arrested and 94 uninsured motorists were cited.
Officers also made 26 drug arrests and cited 20 individuals for other alcohol violations.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinated the effort, which was supported by federal traffic safety funds.
The counties that participated in the Super Bowl sweep were Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Genesee, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne.
First-time offenders convicted of drunk driving in Michigan could face stiff penalties, including:
- Up to 93 days in jail
- Monetary fine
- Driver’s license suspension or restrictions
- Community service
- Probation.
In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any blood alcohol content level if an officer feels they are impaired. Motorists face enhanced penalties for a first-time conviction with a .17 blood alcohol content or higher.
Sources:
- CBS 62 Detroit http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/02/16/45-drunk-drivers-arrested-during-super-bowl-weekend/
- Wyandotte Patch http://wyandotte.patch.com/articles/michigan-law-enforcement-agencies-arrest-45-drunk-drivers-during-super-bowl-weekend-acd2a842