July 1, 2008

Law enforcement officers from 10 agencies in Kalamazoo and Kent counties are participating in a first-time project to increase visibility of nighttime traffic enforcement. The "West Michigan Night Patrol," supported entirely by federal traffic safety funds, seeks to make late-night enforcement more visible through unique awareness tactics and special advertising messages.

To enhance visibility, officers from multiple agencies will work a specific roadway. Lighted message signs, typically used during road construction, will alert motorists of the special enforcement effort. In addition, officers will wear reflective traffic vests to aid visibility and recognition of the special program.

While officers will make stops for all traffic violations, there will be zero tolerance for unbuckled motorists and drunk drivers. Enforcement begins today and runs through July 8.

"We believe the dual focus of safety belt and drunk driving can further reduce traffic deaths and injuries," said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. "Many people continue to drive drunk simply because they believe they can get away with it."

New television and radio ads began last week and are airing on programming popular with men, age 21 to 34. In 2007, nearly a third of alcohol-involved fatal crashes involved a male drinking driver age 21-34.

The idea of combining safety belt and drunk driving enforcement came following a high-level analysis of Michigan traffic fatalities this winter. While Michigan has significantly increased safety belt use in recent years, the analysis revealed a marked drop in belt use during late night hours. Safety belt use in daytime fatal crashes is 73 percent, but falls to 44 percent at night (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.). Crash data also indicates a high correlation between alcohol and unbuckled occupants in nighttime fatal crashes.

Last year, Kalamazoo County took part in a different pilot project to increase visibility of alcohol enforcement. Mobile billboards publicizing special enforcement made extensive runs in August as part of efforts to ensure more motorists were aware of stepped up drunk driving enforcement.

A post phone survey in 2007 indicated only a slight increase in awareness of the additional enforcement.

This new venture, West Michigan Night Patrol, is modeled after a successful program in Minnesota where officers used lighted message signs and wore reflective vests during their late night alcohol patrols.

The counties were selected based on their number of alcohol-involved fatalities and serious injuries and an interest in the program. Kent ranks third in the state and Kalamazoo ranks sixth based on data from 2003-2007.

Participating Kalamazoo County agencies include: Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Portage Police, Western Michigan University Police, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Kalamazoo Township Police and Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post. Kent County participants include: Grandville Police, Kentwood Police, Sparta Police, Wyoming Police and Michigan State Police Rockford Post.