By Kevin Buey
Deming Headlight
New Mexico officers and deputies are joining thousands of agencies across the U.S. in numerous projects to try to keep roads safer.
The New Mexico State Police and Luna County Sheriff’s Office will conduct saturation patrols and checkpoints in the 100 Days and Nights of Summer project, beginning this weekend with a SuperBlitz. Deming Police are also be alert for impaired driving.
“New Mexico is sending a strong message to anyone who decides to drive drunk or recklessly on our roads do not do it; you will get caught,” Gov. Susana Martinez said Wednesday in announcing Summer projects.
“Hundreds of police officers will be vigorously patrolling during the next three months, focusing their efforts on drunken drivers, speeders and seat belt use in order to ensure the safety of all New Mexicans.”
A national Click It or Ticket campaign, which began May 23, is directed at urging drivers and their passengers to buckle seat and shoulder belts, no matter how short a trip to the store a few blocks away or a vacation across the country. Other projects begin this weekend.
“Impaired driving is a deadly crime with serious consequences,” the NMSP said in a news release, “and New Mexico State Police officers will be working diligently to help make the streets and highways safer.
“Checkpoints are used to identify and arrest drunk drivers before they injure someone or themselves. The checkpoint is also a highly visible deterrent to those who may see it but not pass through it.
“The checkpoint locations will be selected based on previous DWI arrests and alcohol related crash statistics. Every effort will be made to prevent the disruption in the flow of traffic. Motorist patience and cooperation will assist in this important safety effort.”
District 12 of the NMSP will hold checkpoints and saturation patrols on a regular basis in Luna, Grant and Hidalgo counties.
This weekend is often called the unofficial start of Summer. Monday’s Memorial Day creates a three-day weekend for many. School is recessed. Traffic volume begins to increase in warmer weather and longer days.
A new media campaign includes outdoor advertising and television and radio ads focusing on consequences of unsafe driving. The campaign, “Where Are You?”, recounts several situations in which planned gatherings go awry due to unsafe driving practices, such as driving under the influence, texting and driving or not wearing a seat belt.
“Last year,” Transportation Secretary Alvin Dominguez said, “53 participating agencies netted 91 DWI arrests and handed out nearly 24,000 citations during the 3-month campaign period. With the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the Summer driving season, thousands of families will be hitting the road and it is our hope that with these increased law enforcement efforts, everyone will be able to make it to their destination safely.”
In New Mexico in 2010, 93 crashes and 101 fatalities were reported between June 10 and September 8. Forty-four crashes were alcohol-related. Fatalities rose by 13 from 2009, but have decreased 30 percent overall since the start of the 100 Days and Nights of Summer project during Gov. Bill Richardson’s terms.
Summer is a time of parties and a recent court decision should be noted, said Joe McClintock, director of the Luna County DWI Prevention Program.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled a party host may be held responsible for alcohol-related accidents involving party guests to whom hosts served too much alcohol.
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