Full Notification

By Scott Bolthouse—Hub Editor—[email protected]

You know the saying– “drive sober or get pulled over.”

In Huron Township, police will beef-up patrols Saturday during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

The traffic unit will be on high alert all day looking for impaired drivers.

“We realize that this is a day that many people look forward to all year. We want people to enjoy themselves, but if you decide to drink, find a driver that can get you home safely. Don’t endanger the lives of others by deciding to drink and drive. We are committed to protecting our residents and promise to hold intoxicated drivers accountable. Again, if you must drink, be smart and do the right thing,” said Public Safety Director Everette Robbins.

Here are some statistics about impaired driving, courtesy of Huron Township Police Department:

In 2015, 384 people died in Michigan in alcohol and/or drug-involved traffic crashes, an increase from 319 deaths in 2014, according to Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.

In 2015, 2,182 people in Michigan were arrested for drunk driving during the NCAA tournament
time of March 17 through April 6.

Of those arrested in 2015, 672 were charged under the state’s high blood-alcohol law.

In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although
motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

Motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested for a first-time drunk driving offense with a .17 BAC or higher. Grant-funded impaired driving enforcement is part of Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2013.

Police ask that if you see someone driving drunk, call 911 when it’s safe to do so, and give a description of the vehicle to law enforcement.

With one-third of all crash fatalities in the United States involving drunk drivers, police say it is your business.

Getting drunk drivers off the roads saves lives.