MIDLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT’S SUMMER

ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN TO START JULY 4^th HOLIDAY

In an effort to make this a safe summer on Midland roadways, the Midland Police Department will conduct a three pronged traffic enforcement campaign beginning with the Fourth of July holiday weekend. From July 2-12, law enforcement officials will enforce laws regarding seatbelt usage, drunk driving and red light violations.

Seatbelt Enforcement

With the goal of motorists’ safety in mind, Midland police, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police Bay City Post will join together to conduct a Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket mobilization effort throughout Midland and Midland County. Enforcement zones (listed below) will be marked with signs, and law enforcement officials will monitor activity that is in violation of Michigan’s mandatory safety belt law.

The law requires that driver and front seat passengers be buckled up, and that children under the age of four be in an approved child safety seat. It also requires that passengers ages 15 and under wear seatbelts in front or rear seating positions. In addition, drivers or passengers who have a shoulder harness placed under their arm or behind their back can be ticketed for failure to properly buckle up.

This campaign is an all-out effort to encourage use of the single-most effective piece of equipment for preventing injuries and death during traffic accidents. Seatbelt enforcement campaigns like Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket also contribute to the police department’s goal of increasing seatbelt usage.

Drunk Driving

The second prong to the campaign is the enforcement of drunk driving laws in the city and throughout Midland County. This effort will be conducted by Midland police, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police on July 3 and 4.

Under Michigan's blood-alcohol content (BAC) law, anyone with a .08 BAC is considered legally drunk and will be arrested. First-time offenders could face up to $2,500 in fines, 93 days in jail, 360 hours of community service, and 6 points on a drivers license with a six-month suspension. They could also incur costs for towing, bail, lawyer fees, court costs, alcohol treatment, and increased insurance premiums.

The enhanced traffic enforcement effort is being supported by federal traffic safety funds and will allow police agencies to increase traffic patrols while at the same time maintain the same level of service to their communities.

Red Light Runners

While red light enforcement is a daily issue for Midland Police, extra effort will be put forth during this campaign to make citizens more aware of the dangers of running red lights.

Red light violations were one reason the Midland City Council in 2001 approved the addition of a two-person Traffic Services Unit, which focuses solely on traffic-related issues in the city. The efforts of the Traffic Services Unit plus the department’s regular patrol officers have contributed to a steady decline in the number of traffic crashes on Midland roadways in recent years.

During the course of the campaign, law enforcement officials will monitor activity in predetermined enforcement zones to ensure drivers’ safety, and will issue tickets as necessary.

The goal of the drunk driving, red light runners and seatbelt enforcement campaigns is to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on Midland roadways.

Scheduled Enforcement Zones:

DATE	ENFORCEMENT	ENFORCEMENT LOCATION
2-Jul	Safety Belt	Eastman (Dilloway)
3-Jul	Safety Belt	Saginaw / Eastman
5-Jul	Safety Belt	Saginaw / Eastman
6-Jul	Safety Belt	Patrick / Saginaw
7-Jul	Safety Belt	Main / Jerome
8-Jul	Safety Belt	Saginaw / Ashman
9-Jul	Safety Belt	Saginaw / Eastman
10-Jul	Safety Belt	Patrick / Saginaw
11-Jul	Safety Belt	Main / Jerome
12-Jul	Safety Belt	Saginaw / Ashman

For more information, contact the Midland Police Department at 989-631-5716.

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