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New Mexico Drunk Driving Statistics

In New Mexico, the percentage of fatalities that were alcohol related peaked in 1988 with 68% of all traffic deaths, and reached the lowest level in 2006, with 32%. The actual number of alcohol-related deaths peaked in 1982 with 375, and the lowest number was reported in 2006, with 155. The overall trend is down for both the percentage and the actual number of alcohol related fatalities.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
577
375
65
329
57
1983
531
350
66
320
60
1984
497
326
66
293
59
1985
535
320
60
284
53
1986
499
322
65
280
56
1987
568
373
66
322
57
1988
487
332
68
293
60
1989
538
321
60
281
52
1990
499
323
65
289
58
1991
469
270
58
248
53
1992
460
285
62
263
57
1993
431
254
59
225
52
1994
447
240
54
212
47
1995
485
240
49
215
44
1996
485
247
51
221
46
1997
484
224
46
194
40
1998
424
196
46
171
40
1999
460
206
45
177
39
2000
432
213
49
177
41
2001
464
216
47
183
39
2002
449
219
49
192
43
2003
439
198
45
170
39
2004
521
211
40
185
36
2005
488
189
39
172
35
2006
484
155
32
136
28

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the New Mexico, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)

The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.

Drunk driving or alcohol-related fatality statistics for New Mexico

It is important to note that the New Mexico drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."

Criminal status of DUI laws in New Mexico

In New Mexico, 4th offense is a 4th degree felony (fewer offenses not classified). Citation:§§31-18-15 & 66-8-101 (2)

Sources for New Mexico drunk driving information and statistics

US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2)National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004

National drunk driving statistics in the US

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