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520 Arrests In Drunk Driving Crackdown

A statewide crackdown on drunk driving over the Labor Day holiday weekend resulted in more than 500 arrests.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning announced Thursday that the arrests included a driver in Detroit who hit a pole while driving drunk with five children in the car. Another driver arrested had a blood alcohol content of .21, which is two-and-a-half times the legal limit.

The drunk driving crackdown started August 19th and ran through September 6th.

This year, officers made nearly 12,000 traffic stops compared to 13,000 last year, and arrested 35 fewer drunk drivers. During this year's enforcement period, 520 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while 552 were arrested in 2009.

"These arrests prevented numerous tragedies from occurring," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director, in a statement. "Enforcement efforts like the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown save lives."

The effort also netted 84 drug-related arrests and 84 open intoxicants, 75 minor in possession, 290 seat belt and child seat, 1,777 speeding and 3,521 other traffic violation citations.

Another federally funded drunk driving enforcement effort is scheduled the week of Halloween, Oct. 25-31.

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