The steps in a field sobriety test might seem simple to some.

But when the individual Central Michigan University Police Officer David Coffman suspected of drunk driving Wednesday night lifted his leg counting one-1,000, two-1,000, those steps were a challenge.

The driver was arrested around 10 p.m. after a preliminary breathalyzer test and, for Coffman, St. Patrick’s Day had reached its peak.

“This’ll probably be as good as it gets,” Coffman said. “They start to drink so early, this is their 3 a.m.; It’s just the dynamic of the night.”

Coffman describes Wednesday night’s atmosphere as “like a busy welcome weekend, but it’s only one night.”

Despite the night’s party atmosphere, CMU Police had their normal load of four cars on the road. Coffman said the department would have enough vehicles to handle complaints, and Mount Pleasant police would more likely be overloaded.

Mild weather conditions contributed to partying in the city of Mount Pleasant, with many people staying outside as opposed to going to bars, said Dave Sabuda, public information officer for the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The MPPD arrested four people for operating under the influence of alcohol and handed out one ticket for a minor in possession. It also received seven calls for loud parties, with the earliest coming in at 7:55 a.m.

“For the amount of people you had in the area,” Sabuda said, “it was average.”

The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department saw even less action, arresting only one drunk driver on a motorcycle after the bars closed at 2 a.m. The department also handed out four MIPs.

Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski was surprised with how the holiday went.

“It wasn’t bad at all,” he said. “Typically for us, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t that bad. We’re very happy with the results.”

Coffman pulled over four other cars during the 9 p.m. hour for simple violations such as rolling through a stop sign and turning from the wrong lane.

One car he pulled over had seven people riding in it, and Coffman said a few had been drinking. But he let them go because the driver was sober and trying to bring his friends home.

“You’re looking for the general good of people,” he said. “You can sit and pick people apart with violations. You have to weigh that stuff.”

E-mail the author: Ryan Czachorski