Why Police Will Be More Active Around Grand Rapids In August

With summer wrapping up and Labor Day around the corner, many of us will be looking for that final summer bash before the kids or college students head back to school, and we prepare for fall to begin. That being said, when people are more active than usual, that means local law enforcement has to step their game up too, and this time is no different.

That would be because it's that time of year when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launches its first of two Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over campaigns looking to raise awareness for drivers who are driving drunk or high.

Why The NHTSA Targets August

As I mentioned earlier, plenty of people are looking to end summer with one last hurrah, whether that mean taking a trip or having a night out on the town. While driving under the influence is a problem all year round, the NHTSA specfically target Labor Day because drunk driving experiences a peak in activity.

Read More: Police Crack Down on Forgotten Driving Law in Michigan

In 2023, 511 people died in traffic crashes during the Labor Day weekend, with 36% (185) of those crashes involving a drunk driver. Among these crashes, 45% of the drivers were between the ages of 18 and 34.

Peter Simshauser, the NHTSA's Chief Counsel, pointed that impaired driving is totally preventable, and that's what makes these accidents so heartbreaking:

"People are killed each year because someone selfishly decides to drive under the influence...your [life] is not the only life at stake."

The campaign is scheduled to run from August 15th to September 1st.

What This Means For You

The Grand Rapids Police Department is one of many police departments participating in the campaign. So, watch your speed, park where you're supposed to, and most importantly, if you're drinking, arrange a ride home ahead of time or reach for someone to help you get one. 

Not only will you avoid a ticket, but you could save lives. To learn more about drunk driving, check out the NHTSA's drunk driving fact sheets.