No Memorial Day 2017 DUI Checkpoints, But Michigan Police Out

Drunken diving checkpoints are unconstitutional in Michigan and 10 other states, but that doesn’t mean police won’t be out in extra numbers this Memorial Day Weekend to be on the lookout for drunken and drugged drivers as they check for seat belt compliance and promote traffic safety. Last year, six people died in five fatal traffic crashes over the holiday weekend.

An estimated 1.2 million people from Michigan are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home during the holiday weekend, which begins Thursday and continues through Monday, the AAA auto club said. The projection is a 2.5 percent increase over the roughly 1.1 million, AAA said, crediting lower gas prices and increasing wages.

MSP and other law enforcement agencies are participating across the country are participating in the international traffic safety initiative Operation Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts, called Operation CARE, to promote traffic safety during the travel period. They’ll also be involved in the statewide Click it or Ticket seat belt compliance initiative.

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“In addition to looking for safety belt and child restraint violations, troopers will pay special attention to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs or are driving in a reckless and unsafe manner,” Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP, said in a news release.

Operation CARE began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the MSP and the Indiana State Police, and is one of the nation’s longest-running traffic safety initiatives. It focuses on deterring the three main causes of highway fatalities: aggressive driving, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.

Photo by James Palinsad via Flickr Commons