Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Livingston County motorists and others across the state are reminded to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” during the end of summer impaired driving enforcement period.

The end of summer is traditionally marked by the Labor Day holiday and is a time for friends and families to enjoy pool parties, backyard barbecues and late-summer road trips. Sadly, the Labor Day holiday weekend is also one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of impaired-driving fatalities.

Through the remainder of August and the 2023 Labor Day holiday weekend, Michigan State Police, along with county and municipal police agencies across the state, are encouraging motorists to celebrate safely and make smart driving decisions.

Officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol throughout the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement period through September 4th. There will be increased enforcement, as well as messaging about the dangers of driving impaired.

In Michigan during 2022, there were 9,331 alcohol-involved crashes (with 322 fatalities) and 2,452 drug-involved crashes (with 249 fatalities), according to the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center.

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend periods from 2018 to 2022, 40 drivers were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in Michigan. In those crashes, one-third of the drivers killed were alcohol-impaired.

Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning Director Katie Bower says the aim of the enforcement campaign is to drastically reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired driving. She said “This should be a time for friends and family to enjoy the final days of summer. Driving impaired is a choice. We are encouraging people to make the right choice and find a sober ride home if they plan on using an impairing substance.”

In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher - although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

To help increase awareness and encourage safe and sober driving, the OHSP is funding a statewide media campaign about the dangers of impaired driving.

A press release is attached.