Michigan State Police Increase Patrols Through New Year's Day

Editor's note: This press release was submitted by the Michigan State Police.

Designating a sober driver should top motorists' lists of resolutions this New Year's Eve because more than 100 law enforcement agencies are participating in a drunk driving crackdown that runs through Jan. 1, 2013.

Law enforcement officers in 22 counties, including Washtenaw County, will work extra enforcement targeting impaired drivers during a New Year's holiday drunk driving crackdown. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is coordinating the effort, which is supported by federal traffic safety funds.

"The best way to start out the new year is by celebrating responsibly and designating a sober driver, taking a cab or spending the night," said OHSP director Michael Prince. "Michigan law enforcement officers are serious about drunk driving enforcement. You will be stopped and you will go to jail. No exceptions or excuses."

During last year's New Year's holiday period in Michigan, 14 people were killed in traffic crashes and five of those crashes involved alcohol.

OHSP offers these tips for a safe New Year's celebration:

• Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person the keys.
• If you've been drinking, call a taxi, ride the bus or call a sober friend to get you home safely.
• If a friend is about to drive impaired, take his or her keys and make other arrangements to get him or her home safely.