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Santa Fe County Kicks Off New Summer DWI Programs

Santa Fe, NM - June 28, 2012- Santa Fe County kicks off several new programs aimed at reducing DWI in Santa Fe County during the summer months. The summer program kickoff includes:

A new campaign to increase public awareness about Santa Fe’s vehicle forfeiture programPublicize recently made changes to the Santa Fe County Chauffer and Designated Driver (CADDy) programIncrease summer efforts to conduct sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and mystery shopper operations with licensed liquor establishments and in coordination with local law enforcement and the Santa Fe Underage Drinking Prevention Alliance

Vehicle Forfeiture Awareness

Funded by the New Mexico Department of Transportation the new public awareness efforts are designed to enhance public knowledge of City and County vehicle forfeiture efforts. The Campaign will feature bus wraps, Johnny Boards, bar coasters, rack cards, movie trailers, and radio Public Service Announcements (PSA’s). The ads and announcements will warn repeat drunk drivers that they may lose their vehicle as a result of drunk driving in Santa Fe County. In 2011, City and County efforts combined resulted in the seizure of over 500 vehicles and the forfeiture of another 50.

CADDy Program

Santa Fe County recently made changes to Santa Fe County’s CADDy program to reduce the ride cost and increase the ridership. Beginning July 1 through September 30, 2012 the CADDy program will offer $1 rides home from any licensed liquor establishment or drinking location. Bar table tops and coasters will be distributed throughout the City and County encouraging patrons to take advantage of the reduced rate during the summer months.

“The program funded over 13,000 rides in 2011 and this summer we want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to get a safe ride home,” stated Health and Human Services Division Director, Rachel O’Connor.

Underage Drinking Prevention Alliance

Lastly, the County is working with local law enforcement and the Santa Fe Underage Drinking Prevention Alliance to boost enforcement throughout the County for the summer months. Santa Fe County funded the Santa Fe Underage Drinking Prevention Alliance to conduct “mystery shopper” activities designed to monitor and reduce sales to intoxicated patrons. Santa Fe County also provided funding for electronic law enforcement signs designed to increase the visibility of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols held this summer.

“Drunk driving tends to increase in the summer months and we want to offer a variety of solutions to keep Santa Fe County safe,” said Santa Fe County DWI Coordinator Lupe Sanchez.

For more information contact Rachel O’Connor at (505) 917-1131.