Police to step up drunken-driving patrols in Ann Arbor area for Super Bowl weekend
Four Washtenaw County police agencies will be stepping up their search for drunken drivers during Super Bowl weekend as part of a special enforcement period.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, University of Michigan Police, Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety and Saline Police Department will conduct the increased enforcement of drunken driving laws from Friday until Sunday night.
Last year, 166 people were arrested in Michigan for drunken driving on Super Bowl Sunday in 2012, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Fifty-two of those people were considered super drunk — driving with a blood alcohol level of .17 percent or higher — and two people died in traffic crashes involving alcohol in the state.
In Washtenaw County, officers will work 150 hours on the special drunken driving enforcement. The extra time is paid for with federal traffic safety funds, administered by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
In Michigan, it's illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
snapshot
Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.
When will they enforce the no texting laws that cause more accidents. These people are not only worse than drunk drivers but are killing people and getting away with a slap on the wrist. Police aren't interested in public safety, they're interested in overtime and public dollars they get to enforce drunk driving laws. It's OK to kill innocent people with your car as long as you were only distracted by a cell phone and not alcohol.
GoNavy
Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
Let's enforce *both*. Fair?
JBK
Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
Kyle - The reporting here is not real sharp! Once again, I wonder is A2.com proofreads what they print! "Last year, 166 people were arrested in Michigan for drunken driving on Super Bowl Sunday in 2012, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Fifty-two of those people were considered super drunk — driving with a blood alcohol level of .17 percent or higher — and two people died in traffic crashes involving alcohol in the state. Are these numbers specific to the whole state of Michigan? Or as quoted from a Sheriff from what County? It would help to know more specifics instead of just throwing numbers out!
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.
I'm a guy who likes to party and stay out late at night I love those party faces and those pretty party lights But there's another kind of party lights that I can't stand to see Cos there's a man in that patrol car and he don't wanna party with me I should'a stayed back at your party When the party lights were there I was by your side on a carnival ride Now it's a roller coaster flashing crashing party nightmare If I ever make it home tonight a more careful man I'll be When I see those party lights come on the party's over for me I'm looking at the stars and all night bars but this party isn't real The only star I see is on his shirt and the bars are made of steel Those party lights that looked so bright just like a christmas tree When I see those party lights come on the party's over for me I should'a stayed back at your party When the party lights were there I was by your side on a carnival ride Now it's a roller coaster flashing crashing party nightmare If I ever make it home tonight a more careful man I'll be When I see those party lights come on the party's over for me When I see those party lights come on the party's over for me
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 12:31 a.m.
The ballad of the Super Drunk?
Paul
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
Why not just have blood alcohol sensors in all new cars sold ? It can be done--now. Then again the limits seem to keep changing, was .1 for impaired and .15 for drunk but then Madd came along and now its .08 and .1 But wait, some states and in parts of Canada its .05 Why can't one limit be decided on and fully enforced all of the time by not allowing cars to be driven by drivers over that set limit ? Then again look at all the missed revenue if there was no more drunk driving, ugh, so nothing will change. Lets just hope nobody gets killed by drunks this weekend but fat chance of that happening.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 11:36 p.m.
"Fifty-wo (sic) of those people were considered super drunk — driving with a blood alcohol level of .17 percent or higher" Super Drunk on Super Sunday Psssst. Fifty-two, not Fifty-wo. Fifty-wo sounds like a the collective cheer from a bunch of super drunk sorority sisters or maybe the number of Wo's in the Hong Kong phone book.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 11:41 p.m.
As exciting as fifty wos would sound, it was a typo. It's fixed now.
GoNavy
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
And, now comes the part where we "look the other way" just a little bit less. You know, to show that we "won't tolerate drunk driving," when in reality this society is pretty good at tolerating drunk driving. A few people will be caught, made examples of, and made to pay up. The charade will then be allowed to continue.
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 10:12 p.m.
tdw- As noted in our community guidelines comments using all caps are subject for removal. This policy has been in place since the launch of the site.
arborani
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 11:09 p.m.
Try using asterisks as in "not astericks - *asterisks*."
tdw
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 10:31 p.m.
Ahhhh......gotcha Kyle.I didn't notice that
An Arborigine
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 10:22 p.m.
Perhaps this site should give us an italics option, so we can emphasize without appearing to Shout?
tdw
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 9:27 p.m.
Hmmm.....I read the comment that got deleted.Not quite sure how simple complement to law enforcement is considered a violation.A2.com?
YouSaidWhat?
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 9:20 p.m.
The nanny state is alive and well!
tdw
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 9:29 p.m.
YouSaidWhat?......You said what ? how is keeping drunk drivers off the road " the nanny state"?