Drunk driving in N.M.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Since I'm a paying customer now, I think I'll rant a little bit...

Before I moved to New Mexico, I was told that the state had a huge problem with drunk drivers. I, of course, had no idea of the scope of the problem when I still lived in California. As soon as I came here, I started seeing little white crosses and other types of memorials all over the place. Sometimes, they are by themselves and sometimes they are near a sign which pleads for people to not drink and drive, and under that part, it says "In memory of (fill in name)". In fact, there is one such sign on the main highway that goes through my city right after I turn south toward Albuquerque that I get to see every day. And there are others littering the city.

One day when I was working, in this convenience store, I noticed a map of New Mexico that showed - in red dots - all the locations of alcohol related accidents throughout the state in 2005. Albuquerque was the worst and nearly solid red, and the map was fairly full of red dots. I've heard about a homeless woman who was panhandling at a freeway offramp who was killed when a driver lost control and veered right into her. I've heard of two guys who were drunk, and called a cab from the bar they were at to get home only to be killed by another driver who was drunk. I've heard of whole families getting wiped out. There is a set of three white crosses next to a freeway a few miles north of town.

The city I live in is supposedly very strict when it comes to what they refer to as D.W.I. (Driving While Intoxicated, I think). There is a sign on a street not to far from where I live that says "Draft Beer: $1.75 - Well Wine: $3.75 - D.W.I.: $15,000+"

But signs like this don't seem to deter the problem. And I've heard that the police are a little inconsistent when it comes to the law on DWI. I understand that much (but not all, of course) of the problem stems from Native Americans who live on the various reservations doing more drinking than most people, and then just get into their cars and hit the road. I'm told that sometimes they will have their kids blow into the breathalizer in their cars so they can start the motor and go on their way. But I'm not sure how much that works, because I've heard that the car will die after a mile or so, and the breathalizer needs to be used again before the car will start. Hell, there was the guy I saw yesterday morning at 7am buying 2 cases of beer and a pickle. Just what I'd do for breakfast...

To make my point, I have zero patience for people (anyone) who gets into a car when they're drunk. They're a danger to themselves, and they're a danger to everyone else. Sometimes when I'm on my way to work at 5am, I wonder if someone who's wasted behind the wheel will take me out and leave my wife very upset. When I was younger, I only had to drive onto the curb in front of a Denny's once to learn my lesson that one beer too many was too much. I don't drink that much as it is, and I have a one beer limit when at a restaurant and I wait a while before driving. When I'm at home, I might have two beers at a time, or even other stuff. But I'll be damned if I'll get behind the wheel when I get a little fuzzy.

Okay - done. End of Rant.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Understood man. It comes down to not only having the police in your area strictly enforce the laws, but also having the courts impose strong penalties. If the police can get them off the road before they kill someone it helps. If the courts will put repeat offenders in jail for longer, it will help keep them off the road. Eventually word spreads when stronger penalties are imposed. ALSO, here in Michigan we get federal money to do special drunk driving enforcement, especially during the worst times of the year.

On a side note, those white crosses are for people that have died in car accidents (not necessarily alcohol related). The crosses are a lot more common in southwestern states (I was raised in Arizona), although I have seen them in just about every state I have drove through. It would be interesting to find out what percentage of those deaths are actually alcohol related. I would be willing to bet that a high percentage are teen and/or alcohol related.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by PrOLifIC_onE

Understood man. It comes down to not only having the police in your area strictly enforce the laws, but also having the courts impose strong penalties. If the police can get them off the road before they kill someone it helps. If the courts will put repeat offenders in jail for longer, it will help keep them off the road. Eventually word spreads when stronger penalties are imposed. ALSO, here in Michigan we get federal money to do special drunk driving enforcement, especially during the worst times of the year.

On a side note, those white crosses are for people that have died in car accidents (not necessarily alcohol related). The crosses are a lot more common in southwestern states (I was raised in Arizona), although I have seen them in just about every state I have drove through. It would be interesting to find out what percentage of those deaths are actually alcohol related. I would be willing to bet that a high percentage are teen and/or alcohol related.

There are supposedly two things you don't do in this city - You don't speed, and you don't drink and drive. When in full gear, the police here (especially the ones on bikes) look like transformers or gobots or something, and they look very intimidating. It does help to keep most people in line. That's just fine with me. The speed limits here are generally pretty low (average 40mph and slower in some areas) in order to keep people from getting too crazy. You stay at the speed limit here. There are traffic lights set for speed limits, and lots of camera intersections. Theres a bad one that flashes all kinds of people. The speed limit its set for is 40, even though its not posted. I found that out when I got flashed one morning doing about 48. I go through at 40 or lower, and no problem.

There are lone white crosses, but there are also the ones next to the signs that say "in memory of...", so I think those were alcohol related. I've heard that the local 20 somethings complain that there's not much to do here except drink, so that creates problems too. To be honest, I'd just as soon see prohibition come back. Even in markets and convenience stores, you can't buy alcohol after midnight. And the beer/liquor coolers and displays are locked and tarped until about 7am - hence the guy getting his morning beer and pickle...

[Jokerswild]

If you get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you have been drinking your a idiot. When you go out to drink either get a designated driver or take a cab. There is no excuse for driving when you drink. By the way my brother-in-law is a idiot.

[gvblake22]

Damn man, that's scary. I would definitely be a little nervous too wondering if some drunk ass driver decided to "redraw the centerline".

Here in Michigan we call it DUI (not DWI) which stands for Driving while Under the Influence.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Damn man, that's scary. I would definitely be a little nervous too wondering if some drunk ass driver decided to "redraw the centerline".

Here in Michigan we call it DUI (not DWI) which stands for Driving while Under the Influence.

Its called DUI in California as well, so when I came to NM and saw signs everywhere about DWI, it was a little confusing at first, especially since the DWI Logo resembles a flying Bat. Kinda like in Cali you have the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV - here you have the Motor Vehicle Division, or MVD. That took getting used to, and is a little weird to say.

[MantaBase]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Its called DUI in California as well, so when I came to NM and saw signs everywhere about DWI, it was a little confusing at first, especially since the DWI Logo resembles a flying Bat. Kinda like in Cali you have the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV - here you have the Motor Vehicle Division, or MVD. That took getting used to, and is a little weird to say.

The Bat originally stood for Breath Alcohol Test. It was on the side of a mobile BAT Mobile - till they got sued.

The laws, enforcement, and punishments are very strict. Being from Cali, you likely look at the speed limit as a suggestion - in NM (and in most states) its not. There is a DUI in NM I think - but thats for things other than Alc.

It will take some getting used to.

BTW - The crosses are a product of The Native Catholic population. You will see them everywhere. They believe that the spirit lingers where it left the body and the body should be buried there (or that is how it started). The bodies are not buried there now....but you will see crosses all over the place - not just along the road. At certain times of year the relatives will visit and place fresh flowers or kitch.

Also keep an eye out for road side temples. I can't recall what they are called right now.

You should really take a drive up to Jemez - should be very nice this time of year.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by MantaBase

You should really take a drive up to Jemez - should be very nice this time of year.

Already have, actually. I've been up there a few times for Pepsi deliveries. It's a crazy long drive, but there is some beautiful scenery up that way though. I went to Cuba today, followed by side trips to Regina and Gallina. It's funny - while the view is nice for the most part, I can't help but notice that the number of people I see hiding behind buildings or parked cars in order to drink goes way up. I saw a few guys today who I thought were doing something constructive, but then I noticed the bottles in their hands.

Cops in Cali will pull you over for speeding, but I think they're focused on other stuff most of the time. Cops in my city will definately pull you over for speeding, but I was out on some road in the sticks today doing nearly 70 in my Pepsi truck, and a state police guy just passed me on by. I guess he had other things to do, but they seem to leave trucks alone.

[RAID]

my wife deals with DUI's all the time. she is a deputy DA and had one trial where the lady was obviously drunk but the jury still found her innocent. it just goes to show that you never know the outcome when it comes to juries.