A common complaint among Grand Valley State University students is that law enforcement officers in the area are too strict. This is college after all, and some alcohol consumption with the resulting rowdiness is to be expected. Some students think the Grand Valley Police Department is simply out to ruin their fun.

What students should keep in mind, though, is that these are federal laws the officers are enforcing. It is not a topic for debate or an issue with any gray area. The law is final, and it states that anyone under the age of 21 should not consume alcohol and those over 21 who can legally drink should not drive if their Blood Alcohol Content is above 0.08. There is no room to bend these rules.

Officers also have the right to stop a vehicle for any type of traffic infraction, whether it is a burned out headlight or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. These problems may seem minor, and officers often use them as a reason to check on the state of the driver and passengers. Drivers who are stopped may respond with some annoyance or anger toward the officer, but these actions can only worsen what may have started out as an easily-solved problem.

While no one wants to be pulled over for any reason or have their party broken up for something as innocent as a noise complaint, responsible parties should remember to treat officers with the utmost respect, even in the heat of the moment. If the possibility of an MIP or speeding ticket sparks rage, the potential felony charges resulting from resisting arrest or assaulting an officer will really put them over the edge. In the end, it is not worth it.

The number of MIPs issued on GVSU’s campus and the frequency of drivers getting pulled over for minor infractions may seem excessive to some, but if these laws and procedures keep even one drunk driver off the roads, they are worth it.