BERRIEN COUNTY — Law Enforcement Officers from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Saint Joseph City Department of Public Safety, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, and the Bridgman City Police Department will increase patrols on Saturday March 17, to help prevent injuries and fatalities sustained due to traffic collisions caused by impaired drivers.

The high-visibility enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, supports the law enforcement agencies efforts to increase enforcement during the Saint Patrick Day celebrations that will be occurring.

In the U.S., a person is killed in a drunk driving crash every 51 minutes.

A national study shows that Saturdays had the highest number of had-been-drinking fatal crashes.

The 1 to 1:59 a.m. period had the highest number of had-been-drinking fatal crashes.

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any blood alcohol level if an officer believes they are impaired. Motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested for a drunk driving offense with a .17 blood alcohol content or higher.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds coordinated by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.