New iPhone App Helps find safe and sober rides home

Officers working this year's end-of summer drunk driving crackdown will be assisted by a first-of-its-kind iPhone app, the Michigan DUI Tracker. The app seeks to make enforcement visible in a unique way, using the phone's GPS system to remind users that enforcement can be anywhere at any time including just down the street or around the corner. Because officers are always on the lookout for drunk drivers, app users are presented with a list for calling a taxi or a friend for a safe and sober ride home. The app coincides with the statewide Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown which runs Aug. 19-Sept. 6. ''Introducing an app for iPhones keeps the drunk driving message current,'' said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). ''This will make it easier and more convenient to make that call for a designated driver.'' The statewide drunk driving enforcement effort kicked off with more than 200 law enforcement agencies in 30 counties participating. Extra patrols are funded by OHSP through federal traffic safety dollars in an effort to deter motorists from driving drunk. In 2009, there were 299 alcohol-related traffic deaths, a decrease of 5.7 percent from 2008. Although the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths declined last year, crashes involving alcohol are eight times more likely to be fatal. Motorists convicted of a first drunk driving offense face up to 93 days in jail, up to a $500 fine, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on a driver's license and up to 180 days' license suspension. In addition, convicted drunk drivers will be subject to a $1,000 fee for two consecutive years, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs. Anyone who refuses a breath test the first time is given an automatic one-year driver's license suspension. Federally-funded drunk driving enforcement is occurring in the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Chippewa, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford. For a listing of planned enforcement times, dates, and locations, visit www.michigan. gov/ohsp. Published: Thu, Aug 26, 2010

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