MPPD Reminds Drivers of the Dangers of Impaired Driving

During the busy, end-of-summer travel season that includes the Labor Day holiday weekend, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) to remind drivers of the dangers of impaired driving.

In 2023, 41% of fatalities on Michigan roadways involved alcohol and/or drugs. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, out of the 8,817 alcohol-involved crashes, 297 were fatalities. Whereas the 2,250 drug-involved crashes resulted in 256 fatalities.

In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

MPPD’s Public Information Officer David Coffman, shared, “No matter what the substance may be, if it has impaired you, you should not be driving. The MPPD wants everyone to enjoy the end of the summer. Commit to yourself and to your community that you will drive safe and sober every day.”

To increase awareness and encourage safe and sober driving, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is funding a statewide media campaign about the dangers of impaired driving. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is coordinated by the OHSP and supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and NHTSA.