#DWI results in 16 drunk driver arrests in October; 256 for the year
Posted at: 11/01/2012 6:52 PM
By: Danielle Todesco, KOB Eyewitness News 4
New Mexico State Police and Governor Susana Martinez are defending the Drunkbusters hotline, after October statistics were released.
Last month, 1,339 calls came into #DWI.
Out of those tips, law enforcement made contact with 90 of the reported drivers. That resulted in 16 DWI arrests for October from the program.
State Police Lt. Robert McDonald admits the numbers are misleading. He says the numbers that are important are the arrests made every year from the program.
"It's getting drunk drivers off the roads in New Mexico and that's what we have to look at as a state agency, as a program, is it successful," McDonald said. "256 DWI arrests this year alone is absolutely a big success."
The governor stressed it's important to get drunk drivers off the streets in any way possible.
"Those are people taken off the roadway," Governor Susana Martinez said. "That is well worth it, because you have no idea had they remained on the roadway, would they have caused greater harm."
There has also been a recent change for the program.
Officers responding to a tip can now call the person who reported the driver directly to get more information.
There is also an app available for iPhone and Android smartphones. To find it, search ENDWI in your app marketplace.
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