Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies Arrest 45 Drunk Drivers During Super Bowl Weekend

Wayne County law enforcement joined 20 other Michigan counties in a drunk driving crackdown during Super Bowl weekend earlier this month.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reported that the three-day enforcement blitz netted 45 drunk drivers, including 11 who were arrested for a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .17 or higher under Michigan's High BAC Law.

Wayne County had the most drunk driving arrests than any other county with 10 OWI arrests and 3 High BAC arrests in Detroit, Grosse Ile, Taylor, Wyandotte, Garden City and Northville Township.

One operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest was made in Wyandotte during the enforcement period. 

Wyandotte Police Chief Daniel Grant could not be reached for comment.

Livingston County had one OWI arrest and three High BAC arrests.

The Michigan State Police made 10 OWI arrests and 3 High-BAC arrests. The counties the arrests were made in are unknown, as some MSP posts cover more than one county.

Sixty-five law enforcement agencies in Allegan, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Genesee, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne participated in the three-day crackdown.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) coordinated the effort which was supported by federal traffic safety funds.

"Michigan law enforcement officers don't play games when it comes to drunk drivers," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "Forty-five motorists found this out when they made the poor decision to drive drunk over Super Bowl weekend and are now dealing with the consequences."

Officers made 1,318 traffic stops during which they issued 47 seat belt and child restraint citations, 97 speeding tickets and 302 tickets for other traffic violations. In addition, 28 fugitives were arrested and 94 uninsured motorists were cited. Officers also made 26 drug arrests and cited 20 individuals for other alcohol violations.