From April 10 to 15, 2015, law enforcement personnel all over Michigan will be using a combination of traditional and innovative strategies to crack down on motorists who text while driving. This effort is a part of the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. high-visibility enforcement campaign that combines intense enforcement of anti-texting laws with advertising and media outreach to let people know about the enforcement and convince them to obey the law.
St. Patrick's Day brings to mind shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and good luck. But no amount of luck can save you from a drunk-driving crash. Unfortunately, March 17 has become a deadly day in the United States, with a dramatic spike in drunk-driving fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 2013 (6 p.m., March 16 to 5:59 a.m., March 18), more than a third (40%) of all crash fatalities involved drunk drivers.
At the Mid-Winter Conference for the Prosecuting Attorney Association of Michigan (PAAM), Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski was recognized for his 20 years of service to the citizens of Michigan. A lifelong resident of Huron County, Mr. Rutkowski has worked in the Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola county prosecutor offices as an Assistant Prosecutor and Chief Assistant Prosecutor, and since January 2009, he has been the elected prosecutor for Huron County.
A recent survey of teens finds 23 percent admit they have driven under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or marijuana. Almost 20 percent of teens who drink and drive say alcohol improves their driving, while 34 percent say the same about marijuana. This frightening perspective is absolutely wrong.
From 2003-2012, of the 1,540 officers killed in the line of duty, almost half (44%) of those were killed in traffic-related incidents. In an effort to protect those who protect us, every state has “Move Over” laws, requiring drivers to move over and/or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles. The problem is, not everyone knows about or follows these laws.
The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, there will be lots of game day socializing that may include drinking. That’s why the Huron County Prosecutor’s office and local law enforcement officials are urging football fans to choose sides now: drinking OR driving. If you plan on drinking on Super Bowl Sunday, designate a sober driver to get you home safely.
