State Police watching for impaired driving New Year’s Eve

NEGAUNEE– Michigan State Police say they will be stepping up tomorrow to crack down on dunking driving.

Officials from the Michigan State Police say that they will be stepping up patrols for New Year’s Eve and will have a no tolerance policy towards driving under the influence. They say that they will be looking for individuals under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol and can spot an impaired driver anywhere, not just by bars.

“You’re not able to function as normal… as fast. You lose your reflexes, you lose your cognitive function and you’re putting yourself and others at risk. It’s against the law,” Michigan State Police Sgt. Anthony Benaglio said, “There is no reason for it in this time and age when you can have designated drivers, you can walk, you can get taxis, you can get buses, you don’t need to do it.”

There was an increased amount of traffic deaths in the Operation C.A.R.E (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) weekend this year as opposed to last year. Police say that 6 people died in separate accidents, that is 3 more fatalities than last year’s operations care This year Operation C.A.R.E was held 6 P.M. Friday December 26th through 11:59 P.M. Tuesday December 27th.