Drive Sober campaign begins

Law enforcement officials from Grand Valley, Ottawa County, Kent County and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning [(MOHSP)] gathered on the Allendale Campus August 21, to kick off the statewide "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

The initiative, sponsored by MOHSP, runs through September 7 and emphasizes the importance of a safe, sober ride home for college students and saving lives during the Labor Day weekend.

"Our goal at Grand Valley is to provide a safe and supportive environment for our students in the classroom and beyond," said Grand Valley Police Chief Renee Freeman. "Colleges and universities work hard to provide alcohol education to students, ensure there are a variety of alcohol-free activities and make it clear that alcohol-related laws are enforced."

Freeman said students should be mindful to have a safe ride home, which could mean taking the bus or calling a cab. 

Capt. Bob Tease from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said Michigan law enforcement agencies arrested 35,060 motorists for impaired driving in 2014, which is nearly 100 arrests per day. 

More than 150 law enforcement agencies will put extra officers on the road through the Labor Day weekend. During the 2014 Labor Day holiday period, five of the six fatal traffic accidents involved alcohol. In 2014, 319 people died in Michigan as a result of alcohol and/or drug-involved traffic crashes.