DWI ARRESTS ARE UP…ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS DOWN. THOSE ARE THE FINDINGS OF A NEW REPORT FROM NEW MEXICO’S LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE. LINDA ATKINSON WITH THE DWI RESOURCE CENTER IN ALBUQUERQUE SAYS IT’S AN ENCOURAGING SIGN. SHE TELLS NEWSRADIO KKOB STUDIES SHOW THAT WHEN MORE ARRESTS ARE MADE, DWI DEATHS GO DOWN. IT’S WHY WE NEED TO PUSH FOR MORE ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE IT CHANGES BEHAVIOR AND HELPS SAVE LIVES.
STILL, ATKINSON SAYS MUCH MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. SHE SAYS SHE’D LIKE TO SEE NEW MEXICO ADOPT A “24-7 SOBRIETY” POLICY WHERE PEOPLE CONVICTED OF DRUNK DRIVING ARE TESTED FOR ALCOHOL EVERY 12 HOURS. SHE SAYS STATES LIKE WYOMING AND NORTH DAKOTA HAVE USED IT FOR YEARS.
