Wyandotte Police Crack Down on Drunken Driving

have their radars on impaired drivers.

Wyandotte is one of dozens of communities statewide taking part in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest holiday crackdown.

Extra patrols will be on the road over the holidays due to federal traffic safety grant dollars administered through the Office of Highway Safety Planning.

Wyandotte's program began Dec. 16 and will run through Jan. 2, Police Chief Daniel Grant said.

"They'll strictly be focusing their patrols on enhancing drunk driving enforcement," he said.

Those who plan to drink are always encouraged to designate a sober driver before consuming any alcohol or take a cab or spend the night where they are. After all, you don't want to blow your holiday season budget on a DUI offense, which can add up to more than $15,000, according to the Michigan State Police.

To put it into perspective, officials said, $15,000 could go a long way toward financing the ultimate 12 Days of Christmas, including 12 DVDs, 11 video games, 10 cordless drills, nine 3D Blu-ray players, eight satellite car stereo systems, seven gas grills, six e-readers, five iPod Touch MP3 players, four PlayStation 3 game systems, three laptop computers, two home gyms and a 70-inch HDTV.

"The inconvenience of a drunk driving arrest doesn't end with a trip to jail," OHSP Director Michael L. Prince said in a release. "When factoring in court costs, legal fees, bail, towing, license fees and increased insurance, a drunk driving arrest is a very expensive situation."

Of the 11 people killed in crashes on Michigan roadways last year during Christmas and New Year, four were alcohol-related, according to the OHSP.

To see a complete list of participating communities, visit the OHSP website.