Seventh is where New Mexico finds itself on a list of the worst states for drunk driving, according to data analyzed by backgroundchecks.org and released in March 2017.
The southwestern state, nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, had a DUI death rate (per 100,000) of 4.71 and 8,542 DUI arrests. First on the list was Wyoming, followed by North Dakota, ranked second; South Dakota, ranked third; Montana, fourth; South Carolina, fifth; and Mississippi, sixth.
“To create a ranking of states, we took a combination of deaths directly attributable to DUIs, DUI arrests per 100,000 people, and drinking too much before driving, as reported by drivers themselves,” backgroundchecks.org said in its release of the data. “We then created a weighted formula.”
The original data used to create the weighted formula came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. BackgroundChecks.org focuses on public safety, online privacy, home security and open government, and it regularly gathers new data and research on issues affecting public welfare.
Take Note: If you have lost your license and need to work on driver’s license restoration, browse through the attorney directories on www.Drunkdrivingattorneys.com or www.DriversLicenseRestorers.com. Pick an attorney experienced and knowledgeable in the driver’s license appeal (restoration) process in your state. If you need to get treatment to help make a case for restoring your license, there are treatment center directories on both sites. If you need information about points on your driving record, check your state department of motor vehicles. In New Mexico, go to http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov. Helping yourself is always the first step in having your DUI attorney help you.
A factor in New Mexico making the backgroundchecks.org list very well could be the state’s lack of resources to monitor and enforce driving and DUI laws. In a 2015 news report, the New Mexico State Police Department said it was losing more officer positions than it could fill.
“Having a shortage of officers restricts how active work we can do in the community,” Chief Pete Kassetas said in the report. At that time the department was looking to fill about 90 vacant positions.
“The more coverage you have, the better ability you have to address the concerns and needs of the citizens,” said Kassetas.
The state also has been pegged with having an underage drinking problem, which may be a factor in its landing on the backgroundchecks.org list. Individuals under age 21 are allowed to possess alcohol on private, non alcohol-selling premises with the consent of a parent, legal guardian or adult spouse. More information on New Mexico’s laws for underage drinking, and for DUI’s, can be found here. And, even more information on DUI laws across the nation can be found here.
Las Cruces, it seems, is one of the worst locations in the state for drinking and alcohol-related driving deaths. According to 24/7 Wall St., alcohol is involved in nearly one-third of driving deaths in the state, and Las Cruces, the second largest city in New Mexico; had the highest level of excessive drinking when the online article was written. Of driving deaths in the city, 34 percent are alcohol related, the piece said.
“The fact that over 10,000 people a year die from DUI-related accidents is a travesty,” Trent Wilson, co-author of the backgroundchecks.org research, was quoted as saying. In addition to those killed, some 200,000 sustain injuries as a direct result of someone driving under the influence, the organization notes.
“We hope this research will open some eyes and make people think twice before drinking and driving,” Wilson said.
