The number of drunk driving related crashes is down, but the number of people on drugs causing crashes has gone up, according to the 2010 Michigan Drunk Driving Audit.
Michigan State Police released the audit earlier this month, and say the numbers reflect the fact they're now better trained to spot someone who is driving under the influence of drugs.
Michigan State Police Trooper David Cardenas told 24 Hour News 8 he has recently been trained in a new program called Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement. The training is designed to help law enforcement better distinguish between a person who is driving under the influence of drugs as compared to alcohol.
"There's always the odors. You're looking at the eyes and the size of the pupils, pill bottles," said Cardenas. "It's not just illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine or whatever, you also are looking at some of the prescription drugs that you're not supposed to be driving on."
According to the 2010 Michigan Drunk Driving Audit, this new training is being reflected in the way the statistics are reported, with alcohol-related deadly crashes down 5% from 299 in 2009 to 283 in 2010; while drug-involved fatalities went up 29% from 119 in 2009 to 153 in 2010.
The audit also shows a slight overall increase of six fatalities from 2009 to 2010 due to either drugs, alcohol, or both.
While troopers are stepping up patrols, prosecutors are making sure people are paying the price with Michigan's new High BAC or "Super Drunk" law, implemented in October 2010. This law raises the penalty for first time offenders whose blood alcohol content is 0.17 or higher. The legal limit in Michigan is 0.08.
Under the "Super Drunk" law, possible jail time is increased from 93 days to 180 days and maximum fines go up from $500 to $700. Offenders can also be required to do one year alcohol rehabilitation, as well as other suspensions and penalties.
Prosecutors say this law is giving them more leverage to prosecute first time drunk driving offenders, and making it harder for defense attorneys to cut their client a deal.
"They want to get out from under the penalties of the super drunk law," said Kent County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker. "They're willing, 'please let me plead to a drunk driving,' which has changed the dynamic because it used to be, 'get me out from under the drunk driving.' So people really are trying to avoid the super drunk law, which is probably a good thing and it does act as a deterrent ultimately."
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