Drunk Driving in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: how much, hotel, house)

[fnord]

Is this a regional pasttime, or what?

Before I moved here, I was aware of the prevalence of drunk driving, but dayam! I'm an avid follower of the Las Cruces Sun News, and it's a rare day that there is not yet another incident involving drunk driving.

Just today I read that the SHERIFF of Guadalupe County, west of ABQ, was arrested for drunk driving. The sheriff?! I read news stories of people that are arrested for the 7th, 8th, 9th...drunk driving offense. A few days ago a couple were killed in a nasty head-on collision somewhere in NM, caused by a drunk driver that was earlier reported for erratic driving. He wasn't killed, of course. A few weeks ago a bicycle cop in Las Cruces saw a guy in a pickup truck trying to run over a dog in the street - then he tried to run over the cop. He was arrested for drunk driving.

I walk a lot around the Las Cruces area, and let me tell you how littered the roadsides are with beer bottles, primarly Bud Light. EVERYWHERE. Right within the city limits. Sometimes I see empty 6 or 12-packs just dumped on the roadside. If New Mexico enacted a bottle return deposit, I'd be making some quick cash.

I recently attended a company holiday party, with plenty of booze. I was shocked at what I heard - people I know confessing about their drunk driving escapades and that they got away with it. These are just "regular" people that you'd find working in any office, "white collar", making good incomes. Like it's cool or funny to drive drunk or something. Everyone was laughing. Except me.

I have an acquaintance here - super nice guy, quite smart - and one evening we hung out at his house and drank beer. A LOT. I stated several times I was going to call a taxi, and he kept insisting on driving me home. He was wasted! I finally had to get very assertive and just call the taxi, and I did. It's almost like he wanted to drive drunk, even though the alternative was very simple and inexpensive ($10 taxi ride).

Staying objective, I also notice (based entirely on news reports) that the VAST majority of drunk driving arrests/accidents involve middle-aged males with Spanish names. Still, I have met a number of people here who are not middle-aged males with Spanish names who have 1-2 DWIs on their records. It's almost like it's standard protocol.

I see the DWI checkpoints announced in the newspaper frequently - yet after the fact they always seem to arrest a handful of people for drunk driving.

There are drunk driving fatal accident memorials & signs sprinkled (or flooded, at this rate) throughout New Mexico's roadways. A few months ago one was knocked down in Las Cruces by a drunk driver. The family, who lost their daughter to a drunk driver 10 years ago, had to go put the sign back up.

Is this an epidemic? What's the deal? I'm a drinker, but I won't put one foot in a driver's seat if I've had more than one drink. Period.

[desert sun]

yes I think it is a pasttime.

I use to be scared to drive the road from Farmington to Shiprock cause of all the drunk drivers and stories I have heard or read about. Too many crashes on that highway.

I use to drive drunk myself when I was in my late teen early twenties but now I wont drive if I even have alcohol on my breath but I know many others that still do and I warn them that they may get away with it a hundred times but eventually they will get caught at least once.

and yeah it is fairly common to have NM residents with 10 or more DWI's, the local news station did a story on this a couple months back.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by fnord

Staying objective, I also notice (based entirely on news reports) that the VAST majority of drunk driving arrests/accidents involve middle-aged males with Spanish names. Still, I have met a number of people here who are not middle-aged males with Spanish names who have 1-2 DWIs on their records. It's almost like it's standard protocol.

The ABQ Journal prints color pictures with names/data of "GUILTY DWI OFFENDERS" every two months. Looks like about 180 names this time. Yep, a lot of Spanish names... But there is a Schaeffer, Schoen, Thomas, Morgan, and more which are not Spanish names. My name is Ricardo Sanchez, I am not from this area, I was born and raised East of the Mississippi and my parents were born and raised East of the United States. I'm not middle age (I guess), I'm 60. I have no DWI arrests.

Yes, New Mexico has a DWI problem. They are working on it. They are making progress. It is not as bad as some people think. There are worse places. It does not bother me as much as other issues.



Rich

[Hunter Wold]

lack of $$$$ is one big reason. The cities and state cannot afford more officers and cannot pay them what they should get.

Also...the COURTS...way too easy of repeat offenders. Like 6+ d wees and slap..

NO,OFF TO THE BIG GRAY BAR HOTEL FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS.

I saw in the news a while back that a local had his "9th.." dewee and gets days + probation..what a joke.

New Mexico is great, but, the laws, lack of $$$, and laid back attitude are not with the 21 century.

Also, Mont, Idaho, have big trouble with DWI's also.


My 2cents.

HW

Happy sober trails,

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by desert sun

yes I think it is a pasttime.

I use to be scared to drive the road from Farmington to Shiprock cause of all the drunk drivers and stories I have heard or read about. Too many crashes on that highway.

I use to drive drunk myself when I was in my late teen early twenties but now I wont drive if I even have alcohol on my breath but I know many others that still do and I warn them that they may get away with it a hundred times but eventually they will get caught at least once.

and yeah it is fairly common to have NM residents with 10 or more DWI's, the local news station did a story on this a couple months back.

I know NM isn't the number 1 state for drunk driving, I think it is Montana, but it certainly is close to the top.

Yes, we all talk about the days we drank and drove; anyone who has lived more than about 40 years and drinks probably has been behind the wheel with one or more too many in their systems, but no more. Many of us realize we were luckier than hell we didn't kill someone or get in an accident.

The sad part about many in NM is number of times they have been arrested. I can guarantee you, one DUI and I wouldn't have gotten a second, 8, 10 and sometimes even more is more than a crime.

For those who stress the lack of funds to handle the problems, yes, this is certainly true, but what about the responsibility of adults to address their problems or their family and friends taking car keys away from them? I don't think lack of funds is the biggest cultrit, I think lack of facing up to the problem is.
Nita

[DOUBLE H]

Hunter Wold is right. The lack of dollars is a BIG problem.

Many years ago (1991) myself and a good friend were coming back from the Albuquerque Balloon Festival when we had the car breakdown halfway between Springer and Raton. The state patrol officer said he would stay with us till the tow truck arrived. He also said he hoped he didn't get a call because after his shift was over he said there would be no coverage until the next morning.

I asked him why. He said the state hasn't much money to work with.
This is on the interstate. I can't imagine breaking down at night on a county road, especially at night.
I've been through recessions before, and this one is a bad one.

[DOUBLE H]

NMnita is right as well. It is amazing to me how people get access to a vehicle after they get arrested for a dui. And how so many have several dui's on their driver"s record, what the **** is up with that?

People not taking resonsibility for their own actions is just as big a problem as fiscal problems providing more law enforcement. Probably more so.

[loborick]

NM has done well in this area. Deaths due to drunk drivers have declined steadily the last few years. But there is still much to be done. Jail time is not the answer. As soon as they get out, they head straight to the bar. Addressinn the drinking problem is the answer. Rehabilitate these people and get them treatment. An alcoholic isn't going to stop driving drunk. The state hasn't realized that. They want to throw all this money at enforcement and punishment, but that isn't the whole answer.

[Pintada Kid]

Our Prisons and Jails are overflowing some places are putting out Huge tents to catch the overflow and these tents are Very Cold in below zero weather and Unsanitary without no Bathrooms or overflowing port a pottys and easy to break out off. Maybe the big DWI offenders are getting away with murder but what about the guy who just had one and didnt pass the test or the Person who is on Prescription medicine isnt he DUI? >>>> New Mexico has had great Strides in the DUI problem but we have a Bar or Liquor store in every corner. And what we are doing is arresting a lot of people and destroying their families and in these times of recession i think a lot of people are gonna be quitting if not the Government should make up posters or commercial showing these people how much money they can say and what it does to your health these would do more to promote quitting then trying to Screw around with our Laws and building more prisons for ourselves and our kids. p.s. i have a good police record and driving record and i dont drink because one smell of beer on your breath and you could ruin your life and your families even if your not Drunk. KID TIP IF we really do want to save lives and less DUIs we should sell HOT BEER and then our Prisons wont be so Overcrowded with people who had one beer before getting home. All it takes is one beer and you might not pass the test. el pintada kid

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I know NM isn't the number 1 state for drunk driving, I think it is Montana, but it certainly is close to the top.

About 5 years ago New Mexico was tied with Arizona for being 4th or 5th. I think NM is about 7th or 8th currently. I do have to commend Governor Richardson and some others for making headway on the problem. I am sure there are those who do not share the same opinion.



Rich