Results from drunk driving crackdown

The results are in from the state’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” drunk driving crackdown. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says police officers arrested 131 drunk drivers. The crackdown lasted from July 1st through July 7th.

Officers also arrested 110 fugitives on outstanding warrants. They issued 137 seat belt and child seat violation tickets, 301 speeding tickets and 1,393 citations for other traffic violations.

Federal traffic safety dollars pay for the crackdown each year. Chippewa, Delta, Houghton and Marquette Counties were among 26 Michigan counties that took part in it.

Preliminary reports indicate 18 people died in Michigan traffic crashes during this year’s July 4th holiday period. Alcohol was a factor in three of the crashes. Four people were killed in traffic crashes during the 2012 July 4th holiday period, and none of those crashes involved alcohol.

However, the calendar may have played a role in last year’s low number. The 2012 holiday period was only one day long because July 4th fell on a Wednesday. Independence Day was a Thursday this year, so the 2013 holiday period was four days long, including Friday and the weekend.