Washtenaw County increasing drunken driving patrols for holiday season
Washtenaw County law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on drunken driving this holiday season.
From Wednesday through Jan. 3, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, along with other agencies throughout the county, will be participating in “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest,” a nationwide campaign to keep intoxicated drivers off the roads.
Police agencies across Washtenaw County will be out in force over the holidays.
File photo
“No matter who you are or what you drive, if we catch you driving impaired we will arrest you,” Chelsea Police Chief Ed Toth said in a press release. “No exceptions, no excuses.”
Sgt. Lisa King, the Sheriff’s Department’s traffic supervisor, said local agencies will have increased patrols seeking out drunken drivers.
“We’re going to have the whole county covered from the west to the east,” she said.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is coordinating the effort, using more than $280,000 federal safety dollars statewide.
The agency said 20 people were killed during the holiday season in Michigan last year. Alcohol was a factor in three of the crashes, police said.
Participating law enforcement agencies include:
- The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department
- The Michigan State Police
- The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety
- The Ann Arbor Police Department
- The Chelsea Police Department
- The Saline Police Department
- The Milan Police Department
Comments
B82Colwell
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 : 8:51 a.m.
Is there a holiday they don't increase patrols for? Like anyone REALLY needs a warning on this one....
mb20fan
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 7:53 p.m.
I know of a few people that need to get picked up.Can I call in and report them? And if I do will they respond fast enough to catch them.
hector
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 11:46 a.m.
So there were a whole 3 crashes over a 12 day period throughout the entire county last year where alcohol was deemed a "factor?" Instead of including ridiculous stats like that, why don't they just call it for what it is and say that it is their best moneymaker? Hopefully they use some of that money this year to actually plow and salt the roads in a decent manner this winter. Washtenaw County's job on that is shameful. Far more crashes, injuries, and deaths happened last year due to unplowed and unsalted roads. I don't even need any stats for that one!
treetowncartel
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 10:46 a.m.
Its a shame we can we can't enjoy ourselves and ride home in a one horse open sleigh anymore.
a2kate
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 10:14 a.m.
While I agree that this is a serious subject, and, sadly, there are more drunken driving incidents during the holidays, I must say that I couldn't help but smile when I read the wording of the title of this article.
InsideTheHall
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 10:12 a.m.
Some advice: If you are indulging stay away from doughnut shops!
theodynus
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 9:44 a.m.
Alcohol was only a factor in 3 of the 20 deaths last year? 15%? That's way lower than the 40-50% figure you always see quoted.
PJ
Tue, Dec 22, 2009 : 7:48 a.m.
Just post yourselves outside the parking lot of the Washtenaw County Courthouse!