Crime & Safety

West Bloomfield May Target 'Super Drunk' Drivers

Gov. Snyder's action allows penalties to be leveled at the local level and towns to increase the consequences related to drunken driving convictions.

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees will consider an amendment to law at  aimed at first-time drunk driving offenders with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.17 or higher — twice the .08 legal limit.

Previously, such cases could only be handled under state laws passed in 2010 which allow for a jail term of 180 days. In February, Gov. Rick Snyder signed bills which allow municipalities to levy local penalties against so-called "super drunk" drivers.

Since West Bloomfield is prohibited under another state law from imposing penalties greater than 93 days jail and fines exceeding $500, "super drunk" charges had to be filed under state law, resulting in fines and costs being paid to the state or to Oakland County.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The proposed amendment, recommended for adoption by the township's legal counsel and , includes the following penalties, which are identical to state law:

  • Community service for up to 360 hours
  • Jail for up to 180 days
  • Fines between $200-$700

The penalties for second and subsequent offenders remain unchanged, regardless of the driver's BAC. If amended, the penalties for violators would take effect immediately.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What else is on the agenda?

The board meets in at 6:45 p.m. For the complete agenda, view the PDF attached to this Article or visit the township's website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from West Bloomfield