Milan police plan drunken driving crackdown in the city tonight
Milan police officers will be on the lookout for suspected drunken drivers in the city tonight.
They'll focus on the Carpenter Road and US-23 area for the special enforcement, which is part of a statewide effort over the holidays.
It's paid for by the state Office of Highway Safety Planning through federal traffic safety funds.
Milan Police Chief Jeff Lewis said in a release that drivers need to think about the potential jail time and fines before getting behind the wheel after drinking. He encouraged people to get a ride from someone else instead.
Additional crackdowns are planned in Washtenaw County next week in conjunction with the New Year's holiday.
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 feels they exhibit signs of impairment while driving. As of Oct. 31, under the new high "super drunk" law, motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested with a .17 or higher blood alcohol content.
In 2009, there were 299 alcohol-related traffic deaths, a decrease of 5.7 percent from 2008. 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.
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.
Comments
a2baggagehandler
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 12:35 a.m.
Festivus for the rest of us.
jcj
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:03 p.m.
I am happy to see more drunk driving enforcement. What I don't understand is this. Every month or so there is a warning about a crack down in Milan. Very seldom any mention of a crack down ANYWHERE else. Does Milan have more bars than A2 or Ypsi?
RJA
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 9:40 p.m.
Go Milan Police, GO! With or without advanced warnings, is OK with me.
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.
Good point Fab Four...And the point is to make the streets safer, not to simply punish people for the sake of punishment. Telling people about drunk driving enforcement being stepped up I would think is more of deterent than not telling them and simply catching a few.
ffej440
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
The courts ruled that random check points violate our rights. Hence the advanced warning and orange vests worn at the well marked "enforcement area" Personally I think its LEOs way around the courts. The courts intent was to prevent innocent people from being detained without probable cause. If you didn't know about the "enfocement area" you are still going to be detained without cause. If there are so many drunks on the road, I see no need to stop EVERY vehicle in the zone.The guilty should stand out- weaving, lights off etc...
Fab Four
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
Perhaps some advanced warning will discourage drinking and driving.
pawky
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.
Drunk drivers should not get advanced warnings!