Expect to see plenty of police on patrol in Washtenaw County on New Year's Eve
Police have a message for anyone planning to ring in the New Year with a few drinks: designate a sober driver or take a taxi cab.
If you're out on the streets of Washtenaw County late at night from Thursday through Saturday, you can expect to see extra police officers on patrol. They'll be on the lookout for suspected drunken drivers and motorists who aren't wearing seat belts.
This weekend marks the end of a statewide crackdown on drunken driving over the holiday season.
Starting at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, officers from several agencies — including the Michigan State Police, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, Pittsfield Township Police Department, Saline Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Milan Police Department and University of Michigan Department of Public Safety — will be out on patrol.
On Thursday night, 18 police officers will focus on:
- Carpenter and Packard in Pittsfield Township
- Michigan and South Industrial in Saline
- Carpenter and Michigan in Pittsfield Township
- Jackson and Wagner in Scio Township
- Streets around the U-M campus
On Friday night, 20 extra patrols are planned on:
- I-94 and US-23 throughout Washtenaw County
- Michigan and Carpenter in Pittsfield Township
- Michigan and Maple in Saline
- M-52 and Middle Street in Chelsea
- Main and Wabash in Milan
- Washtenaw and Hewitt in Ypsilanti Township
- Streets around the U-M campus
Michigan State Police troopers will step up patrols on US-23 and I-94 on Friday night.
Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police
On Saturday night, Chelsea police officers will be back out in force at 8 p.m. for a final night of extra enforcement. They'll focus on Old US-12 and Freer Road.
The effort is funded by the state Office of Highway Safety Planning through federal traffic safety grants.
In Michigan, it's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer feels they exhibit signs of impairment while driving. As of Oct. 31, under the new "super drunk" law, motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested with a .17 or higher blood alcohol content.
A motorist convicted of drunken driving faces up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, 360 hours of community service, 180 days driving suspension and six points on a driver’s license.
If convicted under Michigan’s new "super drunk" law, jail time increases to 180 days, fines reach $700 and a one-year license suspension is possible.
During last year’s Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods, 10 people died in traffic crashes in Michigan, and four of those deaths were alcohol-related, the OHSP said.
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