The state today kicked off the Winter DWI Superblitz and unveiled a new DWI media campaign titled “Reverse” to accompany the increased enforcement season. The advertising campaign coincides with the SuperBlitz, which runs throughout the holiday season, beginning Nov. 20 and running through January 3.

“Our DWI Superblitz’ have been successful at cracking down on drunk driving and this holiday season we are doing more – there will be more officers on our streets, more sobriety checkpoints and more saturation patrols,” said Gov. Bill Richardson. “We are determined to keep New Mexico’s roadways safe as people travel to and from family gatherings and parties over the holidays.”

The Winter Superblitz is an important one because it overlaps with the holidays. Statistics show that alcohol is often a factor in holiday crashes; during last year’s Winter SuperBlitz, 54 people lost their lives in crashes, 19 of those involved drinking and driving. That is why over the next six weeks there will be additional sobriety checkpoints across the state and more saturation patrols. 

DWI Czar Rachel O’Connor also announced today a new incentive program aimed at encouraging law enforcement agencies to conduct high visibility during the designated SuperBlitz periods.  Agencies that participate are eligible for additional money to purchase equipment.

“We know that public awareness combined with increased enforcement serves as a deterrent to drinking and driving,” O’Connor said. “We are committed to providing our law enforcement officers with every tool they need to help reduce the senseless death and injury that DWI causes.”

During the Winter Superblitz a new anti-drunk driving campaign will run on TV, radio and billboards.

The new DWI ad campaign features a man haunted by his irreversible consequences of drinking and driving and asks New Mexicans to designate a driver to avoid the permanent and irrevocable damages that DWI can cause.