Michigan Truckers to Help Spot Drunk Drivers

WHAT: News conference to kick off the statewide "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." mobilization, to include "Night Owls," a force of more than 900 commercial truck drivers from five Michigan companies who will help identify possible drunk drivers during the 17-day mobilization June 27-July 13.

WHY: "Night Owls" help increase the likelihood of drunk drivers being stopped and arrested this holiday. Officers from more than 540 law enforcement agencies will conduct aggressive drunk driving patrols throughout the state.

Nearly 35 percent of all fatal traffic crashes in Michigan last year involved alcohol. During the Fourth of July period in 2002, 44 percent of the 27 fatal crashes in Michigan involved alcohol. There were 30 people killed as a result of those crashes.

  WHEN:   Thursday, June 26, 2003
          10:00 a.m.

  WHERE:  Michigan State Police Metro North Post
          14350 Ten Mile Road
          Oak Park

  WHO:    Lieutenant Colonel Peter Munoz, Commander, Uniform Services
           Bureau, Michigan State Police
          Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff's Department
          Chief Barnett Jones, Sterling Heights Police Department

PRNewswire -- June 23