Police encourage safety during holiday weekend

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP — There will be more than the usual number of police officers patrolling Michigan roads this weekend watching for drunk drivers.

12 people were killed during last year’s 4th of July holiday period. Of those 12 people, three of the fatalities were alcohol related.

“If you’re going to drink, don’t drive,” said Sgt. Kevin Dowling of the Michigan State Police. “Designate a driver. If you’ve been drinking, don’t put it behind a wheel. There’s a grant enforcement initiative underway right now. We’ll have troopers that are assigned strictly and solely to go out and look for drunk drivers throughout the weekend.”

“If you’re drinking, use a designated driver or you’re probably going to jail. Watch your speed, wear you’re seatbelt– we have a zero tolerance on drinking and driving. We should be good,” added Dowling.

Dowling added that motorists should watch how fast they are traveling because of the increase in the number of cars that will be on the road. The OHSP’s drunk driving crackdown runs through July 12th.

In Michigan, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.