6,800 stops, 239 drunk arrests July 4th

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - Michigan law enforcement officers made more than 6,800 traffic stops and arrested 239 alleged drunk drivers during the July 4th "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." drunk driving crackdown.

Officers in 30 counties took part in the July 1-11 crackdown, which was coordinated by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and funded by federal traffic safety dollars.

Grant-funded patrols resulted in the apprehension of 46 fugitives, 28 drug-related arrests, 204 misdemeanors and 21 felony arrests, according to a news release. Nearly 200 seat belt and child seat violation tickets, more than 1,000 speeding tickets and more than 2,100 other traffic violation citations were also written.

"Any time a drunk driver is taken off the road, a tragedy is prevented," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "Traffic enforcement efforts like the "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." campaign saves lives."

Although the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths declined last year, crashes involving alcohol are eight times more likely to be fatal, according to OHSP. In 2009, there were 299 alcohol-related traffic deaths, a decrease of 5.7 percent from 2008.

Last year, one pedestrian died in Michigan in an alcohol-involved crash over the July 4th holiday. Preliminary reports indicate five people were killed during this year's holiday weekend with none of the crashes involving alcohol, say OHSP officials.

A second "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." drunk driving crackdown kicks off Aug. 19 with 30 counties conducting impaired driving enforcement through the Labor Day weekend.

For more specific results, including a breakdown by county, visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp