Crime & Safety
Police Cracking Down on Drunk Driving Near July 4 Holiday
An ad campaign rolled out in advance of Fourth of July weekend warns Michiganders that police will be on the lookout for drunk drivers–and Dearborn is no different.
A holiday weekend in Michigan also means stepped up efforts by state and local police to prevent and prosecute drunk driving.
As a result, both Michigan State Police and the will be cracking down on drunk drivers over the Fourth of July weekend.
Federally funded TV and radio ads reminding motorists that a drunk driving conviction can curtail their independence begin airing last week, according to a press release issued by the Michigan State Police Department.
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The TV spot features a convicted drunk driver and illustrates how the DUI literally follows him around in his daily life. The young man drags a keg representing the arrest as he walks through town because he no longer has a license. He then attempts to withdraw money from an ATM, only to discover he has insufficient funds in his bank account because of the costly arrest.
"A drunk driving arrest doesn't end with a night in jail," said Michael L. Prince, Michigan Office of Highway Safety planning director. "The fines, fees, increased insurance rates and driving restrictions have a lasting effect on convicted drunk drivers."
Find out what's happening in Dearbornwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The advertising blitz, sponsored by OHSP, warns motorists the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. statewide crackdown is July 1-10. TV, cable and radio ads will run June 27-July 9 in the Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids media markets. Ten "frozen billboards" will also be utilized in those markets. This unique marketing technique involves "wrapping" outdoor ice chests at convenience stores or gas stations with a message urging motorists not to drive drunk.
In Dearborn, efforts will include more officers on patrol throughout Fourth of July weekend.
"We'll have added driving detail–OWI (operating while intoxicated) details,” said Police Chief Ronald Haddad. “We'll also have an overtime detail special for fireworks, but they'll also be watching for traffic. We will have added patrols across the board out there for Fourth of July weekend."
Haddad said, however, that despite Dearborn’s high number of bars and active nightlife, the city doesn’t experience an unusually high number of DUI arrests and convictions.
"Our car crashes and our arrests (during Fourth of July Weekend) are consistent with comparable areas in the state,” Haddad said. “We don't have any greater problems here than elsewhere."
The "Keg and Chain" ad can be viewed at www.youtube.com/ohsp.
