45 Drunk Drivers Arrested During Super Bowl Weekend
LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan State Police say they arrested 45 drunk drivers across 20 counties during Super Bowl weekend.
Eleven of the drivers were cited under Michigan's "super drunk" law, for those with a blood alcohol content level more than twice the state's limit of .08.
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.
"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 statement.
Sixty-five law enforcement agencies in Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Genesee, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne participated in the three-day crackdown.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinated the effort, which was supported by federal traffic safety funds.
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.
